Roswell 9-1-1 Center Becomes Missing Kids Readiness Project Member

ROSWELL, GA -- From the moment the report of a missing child comes in to the resolution of the case, every action taken has the potential to make the difference between a successful recovery and a tragic outcome.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children developed the Missing Kids Readiness Project to promote best practices for responding to calls of missing, abducted and sexually exploited children. 9-1-1 call centers and law enforcement agencies are recognized for meeting essential training and policy elements demonstrating preparedness for responding to a missing child incident. One of the local call centers that have met these requirements is the Roswell Police Department's 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center.

The city set out to meet these standards by working with the national center on its missing child guidelines to ensure it met the critical elements of its model policy for law enforcement agencies. In addition, Melissa Alterio, Roswell's 9-1-1 communications director, completed the classroom training course for Public Safety Answering Point directors and managers and ensured all first responders and front line supervisors completed the necessary classroom and/or online training offered through NCMEC.

By demonstrating remarkable leadership and making this commitment of training and preparedness, the Roswell Police 9-1-1 Center is communicating to its citizens and families that protecting the lives and safety of their children is a top priority, the Roswell Police Department said. Armed with the information, knowledge and operational resources gained through meeting the project criteria, the city's call center is now positioned to respond more quickly, comprehensively and effectively when a child’s life may be at stake.

Not only is the Roswell 9-1-1 center now one of 274 Public Safety Answering Point agencies in the United States who have achieved this status, they are the sixth agency within the state of Georgia. Other agencies in the Peach State receiving the designation include:

• Athens-Clarke County Communications Division (Athens)
• Chattahoochee River 911 Authority (ChatComm -- Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Dunwoody and Brookhaven)
• Decatur Police Department (Decatur)
• Floyd County E-911 (Rome)
• Habersham County Communications (Mt. Airy)

To learn more about NCMEC and the Missing Kids Readiness Project, visit the initiative's website. You can also see a full listing of Missing Kids Readiness Project-recognized agencies by clicking here.

Image via Roswell Police Department