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Purple Alert Criteria

The Florida Purple Alert Plan outlines two levels of Purple Alert activation: Local and State. Local and State Purple Alerts engage the public in the search for the missing person and provide a standardized and coordinated community response.

Local Purple Alert

Although each agency may have their own criteria for activation of a Local Purple Alert for those individuals who are missing on foot or in an unidentified vehicle, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) recommends that agencies use the below criteria and activation steps as a guideline when issuing a Local Purple Alert.

Local Purple Alert Criteria Recommendations:

  1. The person must be 18 years of age or older and must not qualify for a Silver Alert.
  2. The local law enforcement agency’s investigation must have determined that the missing person:
    • Has any combination of the following: an intellectual or developmental disability, brain injury, or another physical, mental, or emotional disability that is not related to substance abuse AND
    • Does not have Alzheimer's disease or a dementia-related disorder.
  3. The local law enforcement agency’s investigation must have concluded that the disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or serious bodily harm to the missing person and that the missing person can only be returned to safety through law enforcement intervention.
  4. There must be a detailed description of the missing person suitable for distribution.
  5. The local law enforcement agency must enter the missing person into the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC).

Local Purple Alert Activation Recommendations:

State Purple Alert

For persons who meet Purple Alert criteria and go missing in a vehicle with an identified tag, a State Purple Alert may be issued. In these cases, MEPIC can assist with the illumination of dynamic message signs in your area. State Purple Alerts can only be issued for cases meeting the criteria below.

State Purple Alert Criteria:

  1. The person must be 18 years of age or older and must not qualify for a Silver Alert.
  2. The local law enforcement agency’s investigation must have determined that the missing person:
    • Has any combination of the following: an intellectual or developmental disability, brain injury, or another physical, mental, or emotional disability that is not related to substance abuse AND
    • Does not have Alzheimer's disease or a dementia-related disorder.
  3. The local law enforcement agency’s investigation must have concluded that the disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or serious bodily harm to the missing person and that the missing person can only be returned to safety through law enforcement intervention.
  4. There must be a detailed description of the missing person suitable for distribution.
  5. The local law enforcement agency must enter the missing person into the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC).
  6. There must be a detailed description of the vehicle and verified tag number to display on the Florida Department of Transportation dynamic message signs.
  7. The local law enforcement agency must recommend activation.

State Purple Alert Activation Steps:

Resources:

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Priorities

FDLE is composed of five areas: Executive Direction and Business Support, Criminal Investigations and Forensic Science, Criminal Justice Information, Criminal Justice Professionalism and Florida Capitol Police. FDLE’s duties, responsibilities and procedures are mandated through Chapter 943, FS, and Chapter 11, FAC. To learn more about these areas, read our Statement of Agency Organization and Operation or visit our Open Government page.