April 6, 2017

Field Exercise Hones Child Abduction Response

Investigators from 16 Agencies Working as a Cohesive Team

The FBI is providing enhanced training to investigators at 16 law enforcement agencies on responding to child abductions or mysterious disappearances of a child. Today’s field training exercise (FTX) in Snoqualmie, Washington, reinforces concepts learned during three previous days of classroom training. Investigators will apply specialized skills and techniques toward solving a mock child abduction as a cohesive team.

All FTX roles are played by volunteers. Many of them are Snoqualmie neighbors who are interested in helping law enforcement with preparedness efforts and learning more about investigations.

During the classroom training, the FBI’s national Child Abduction Rapid Deployment (CARD) Team and Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) provided instruction on topics such as an overview of child sex offenders, information on the behavior of child abductors, guidance on false allegations of abductions, and abduction case management.

The classroom instruction took place in Snoqualmie, Washington, at the fire department. The FTX will run from 9 a.m. until late afternoon in neighborhoods around Snoqualmie.

The FBI offers this joint classroom-field exercise training nationwide. Investigators have already been trained in Texas, Nevada, Alaska, Florida, Louisiana, Rhode Island, North Carolina, New Jersey, Arizona, and Alabama.

Participants trained this week are equipped to address the unique challenges presented by child abductions and mysterious disappearances of a child. Their enhanced training prepares them to assist neighboring jurisdictions with surge resources during an investigation.

Agencies participating in the training include:

  • FBI Seattle Field Office
  • Snoqualmie Police Department
  • Arlington Police Department
  • Bellevue Police Department
  • Clark County Sheriff’s Office
  • King County Sheriff’s Office
  • Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office
  • Lacey Police Department
  • Normandy Park Police Department
  • Pacific Police Department
  • Portland Police Bureau
  • Redmond Police Department
  • Renton Police Department
  • Seattle Police Department
  • Skagit County Sheriff’s Office
  • Tukwila Police Department