Monique Hepburn, News Editor 
ENNIS, NICHOLSON AND SIMMONS
WESTERN BUREAU:
WITH MORE than 1,500 persons reported missing annually, the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is urging the public to take a more proactive and responsible role in reporting missing persons.
With the advent of the Missing Person Investigation Policy, implemented earlier this year, commander of the NIB, Senior Superintendent Albert Edwards, says that in aiding police investigators to act more swiftly in finding missing persons, the public should observe the new protocol when filing a report.
"The new policy supersedes all the other policies that we had before to deal with missing persons and it is a very comprehensive policy that comes out of our reform and modernisation efforts," SSP Edwards said.
"The basic obligation of the public is to let us know as soon as the person goes missing but also to be responsible enough to let us know if they have returned."
SSP Edwards told The Sunday Gleaner that by definition, a missing person is "an individual who is absent from his or her place of frequency under any unexplained circumstances for any unusual period of time without reasonable communi-cation."
This new protocol is a departure from the recommen-dation that a person should be reported missing after 24 hours of being absent.
"We are not saying however, that if the child is to come home from school at 6:00 p.m. and is not home by 6:30, there is cause for panic. Simply take some steps to find out what has happened. But if your gut feeling tells you that something is wrong, please call us. We get a lot of reports and we have to draw the distinction between the reports that we get."
PROCEDURES
In assessing missing person trends, SSP Edwards pointed out that young girls in the age group 11-18 years are posing a cause for concern to the unit.
"Although we get reports about all age groups, it is that age group that causes us greater concern. Their disappearance is usually tied to going out with boyfriends or friends, though some of them are quite young."
The commander explained that when a person is reported missing the following machinery goes into motion in trying to locate the individual:
The first report goes to the police officers on duty and they are supposed to assess that report and to immediately make a record of the report with a description of the person and try to get as much information from the person making the report.
A form filled out in quadruplicate, detailing the individual's description and routine is circulated throughout the division/divisions.
A flash alert is established, especially if the situation involves a motor car.
Importantly, SSP Edwards reiterated that telling the police that persons have returned and the reason for their absence, helps them to build a profile for future reference and also signals them to end their search.
CURRENT MISSING PERSONS
The Missing Persons Unit spans the entire island and operates through the various divisions.
With an 80-85 per cent clear up rate, most missing person cases are solved within two weeks, the majority turning out favourably.
Among persons currently missing are:
Jason Simmons, 27, also known as 'Shortman' of Balladier Way, Waterford, St. Catherine, reported missing on January 19.
Glenroy Wilmouth, 42, of Potter View, Kingston 16 was reported missing on February 18.
Nicholas 'Richie' Ennis 19, auto body repairman of Sixth Street in Greenwich Town Kingston 13.
Oniel 'Micey' Foster of Hendon, Norwood, St. James both missing since December 21.
Alroy 'Big Head' Nicholson, 24, of Greenwich Park Road, Kingston, has been reported missing since February 10.
If you have information, please contact police emergency 119 or the nearest police station.
