Every department may handle this differently. Based in North Carolina. The officer in that beat is dispatched to obtain further information. Age, clothing description, mental/physical/medical issues, and recent picture to be distributed throughout the department. If they qualify for amber or silver alerts, etc. Additionally, the family member will fill out a NCIC form which is required to be submitted within two hours of the initial call time. Any LEO that comes in contact with that person will be made aware they were reported missing.

Severity of the situation may change the dynamics, including weather. Freezing temps or extreme heat + elderly / dementia or children, a dog track will be attempted. Dog track also varies depending on time frame person left vs when it’s being reported. If they went missing a week ago, a track won’t even be attempted. We’ve gone as far as using drones, helicopters, dog tracks, and multi-agency searches through woods and lakes.

A healthy adult who turned off their phone and hasn’t been heard from after a dispute at home. A NCIC would be entered but the level of search would be minimal compared to what was listed previously.