The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is seeking comments for the candidate American National Standard (ANS) for Public Safety Telecommunicators When Responding to Calls of Missing, Abducted and/or Sexually Exploited Children.

This standard has been designed to serve as best practice guidelines and operational models in support of emergency communications center personnel when responding to incidents of missing, abducted and/or sexually exploited children. The standard will include procedures for effectively and efficiently processing these calls for service as well as resources available to telecommunicators and law enforcement.

“Calls involving children are among the most difficult to process,” said Jason Kern, APCO International President. “The initial handling by the telecommunicator forms the foundation and direction of the overall response. This standard provides the tools and skills necessary to be successful in the recovery of missing, abducted and sexually exploited children.”

The public may review and comment on this candidate standard from October 8 to November 22, 2021: Candidate ANS 1.103.4-20XX Standard for Public Safety Telecommunicators When Responding to Calls of Missing, Abducted and/or Sexually Exploited Children

For questions, email apcostandards@apcointl.org or contact the Standards Program Manager at (469) 424-7599. For more information on APCO standards activities, please visit our website.

APCO International® (www.apcointl.org)
APCO International is the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide – and the welfare of the general public as a whole – by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach.