Creating a blue alert program within the department of public safety for the apprehension of a person suspected of killing or seriously injuring a peace officer in the line of duty or due to safety concerns for a peace officer missing while on duty

The bill provides that upon notification by a law enforcement agency that a peace officer is missing while on duty under circumstances warranting concern for the peace officer’s safety, the Iowa state patrol communications center shall activate a blue alert if sufficient descriptive information is available to disseminate to the public that could assist in locating the missing peace officer. The bill provides that the Iowa state patrol communications center shall not release any information about the identity of a peace officer in a case involving the death or serious injury of the peace officer who is the subject of a blue alert. If the blue alert is issued because the peace officer is missing while on duty, the Iowa state patrol communications center shall defer to the investigating law enforcement agency about the nature and limits of the officer information to be made public. If the criteria for issuing a blue alert have been established, the department of public safety shall transmit a blue alert through the emergency alert system to Iowa broadcasters. Upon the transmission of the blue alert, the department shall also post the alert on an internet website accessible by the public. After an initial blue alert transmission, additional information may be submitted by the participating law enforcement agency. The communications officer of the state patrol may direct the transmission of a blue alert upon request from another state if there is evidence that the suspect may be present in Iowa. The area of the blue alert transmission may be directed to a specific location if the Iowa state patrol communications center determines that the nature of the event makes it probable that the suspect did not leave a certain geographic location of the state. The bill provides that a blue alert shall be terminated when the suspect or peace officer is located, the department determines that the blue alert is no longer an effective tool for locating the suspect or peace officer, or five hours have elapsed since the transmission of the blue alert. The bill also provides that a blue alert may be renewed and no entity or individual shall be civilly liable for damages arising from the activation or termination of a blue alert.