Blue Alert
The purpose of the Blue Alert is to rapidly notify law enforcement, the media and the public to aid in the apprehension of violent criminals who have threatened a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon, used a deadly weapon against a law enforcement officer, caused a law enforcement officer to suffer serious bodily injury or death in the line of duty and the individual has left the scene of the offense. Blue Alerts can also be issued when a law enforcement officer has been abducted or is missing while on duty.
Anyone who seriously harms or kills law enforcement officers in the line of duty poses an inherently elevated and unique danger to all. Delays in capture may result in the death of other South Dakota law enforcement officers and innocent civilians. Informing the public through Blue Alerts enables citizens to play a critical role in assisting law enforcement maintain safety in South Dakota.
The Activation of the Blue Alert may be made when:
Upon the request made by a law enforcement agency that is investigating an offense against a law enforcement officer, the Division of Criminal Investigation in conjunction with the statewide Blue Alert plan may activate a Blue Alert public notice to aid in the apprehension of an individual who is a suspect in an offense if criteria has been met:
- An individual has threatened a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon, has used a deadly weapon against a law enforcement officer, has caused a law enforcement officer to suffer serious bodily injury or death, or the officer has been abducted or is missing while on duty;
- The individual has fled the scene of the offense and there is sufficient descriptive information of the suspect, including any relevant vehicle and license tag information available for broadcast;
- The law enforcement agency investigating the offense has determined the individual poses a threat to the public or other law enforcement personnel; and
- Dissemination of available information to the public may help avert further harm or assist in the apprehension of the suspect.