Blue Alert Information:
Blue Alert Activation Criteria
- Law enforcement has confirmed a law enforcement officer has been killed, seriously injured, or kidnapped.
- Law enforcement has concluded the suspect is a threat to public safety, and there is enough information to disseminate to the public to assist law enforcement in apprehending the suspect.
- Law Enforcement has entered the suspect as WANTED in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database (either in the temporary felon file or the wanted person file), and if available, vehicle information has been included.
- Law enforcement has determined there is sufficient information available to disseminate to the public to assist in the apprehension of the suspect.
If Any Agency Believes a Blue Alert is Needed:
- Contact SLED at 803-896-7133 (SLED personnel are available 24/7) and provide as much information as possible.
- If available, send photos and vehicle identifiers to SLED.
Background
South Carolina’s Blue Alert Program was signed into law by Governor Nikki Haley on February 27, 2012 (S.C. Code Ann. § 23-3-1400). The purpose of the program is to broadcast critical information to the public as quickly as possible to assist in the apprehension of an offender(s) who allegedly killed, seriously injured, or abducted a law enforcement officer and poses a significant risk to the public and other law enforcement officers. The Chief of SLED shall act as the program’s statewide coordinator.
The Blue Alert Program, established within the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), is a mechanism to rapidly communicate extremely important information to the general public and law enforcement to aid in the identifying, locating, and capturing of certain dangerous offender(s). This program is intended to utilize NLETS and NCIC notifications. Through voluntary partnerships with the South Carolina broadcasters, South Carolina Department of Transportation, and other organizations, the Blue Alert Program may increase the chances of rapidly capturing the offender(s) or locating an abducted officer in the interest of public safety.
In a Blue Alert event, if an offender(s) is seen or if anyone has knowledge of the identity of the offender(s), the public is warned to take caution and to immediately call 911 to provide information to law enforcement.