SECTION 9.81. Purpose of Blue Alert Network

(a) The Blue Alert Network ("network") was developed as a statewide emergency response system to aid in the apprehension of an individual(s) suspected of killing or causing serious bodily injury to a law enforcement officer. The network is designed to be activated when a law enforcement officer is killed or has suffered bodily injury and the investigating agency believes the missing suspect poses a threat to other law enforcement officers and to the public.

(b) Activation of the network outside the established criteria will ultimately cause the public to disregard the notifications, and the system will lose effectiveness. In order to maintain a high level of effectiveness, the department and local law enforcement must ensure that the circumstances justifying activation are accurately evaluated in order to implement the network in responsible manner.

(c) Network activations must be limited to those instances where the statutory criteria for activation are clearly established by the specific facts of the case. The department has complete discretion in making the final determination about the activation of the Blue Alert Network.

Source Note: The provisions of this §9.81 adopted to be effective February 20, 2018, 43 TexReg 892