52:17B-194.13 Criteria for activation of blue alert.

2. a. For the purposes of this act, "lead law enforcement agency" means a law enforcement agency that is conducting an investigation to apprehend a person suspected of seriously injuring or killing a law enforcement officer, or is investigating the disappearance of a law enforcement officer who went missing while on duty under circumstances that warrant concern for the officer's safety.

b. A Blue Alert authorized pursuant to this act may be activated if all of the following criteria are met:

(1) the lead law enforcement agency confirms that a law enforcement officer has been seriously injured or killed, and that a suspect has not been apprehended, or that a law enforcement officer is missing while on duty under circumstances warranting concern for the law enforcement officer's safety;

(2) there is sufficient descriptive information about the person suspected of seriously injuring or killing a law enforcement officer or the circumstances surrounding a law enforcement officer's serious injury, death, or disappearance indicate that the activation of a Blue Alert may assist in locating a suspect or missing law enforcement officer; and

(3) the lead law enforcement agency requests that a Blue Alert be initiated.

c. Nothing in this section shall require that a Blue Alert be initiated if the criteria under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection b. of this section are met but it is determined by the lead law enforcement agency that the activation of a Blue Alert would cause public harm or would compromise an ongoing investigation.

L.2019, c.369, s.2.