Missing Person Information

The Sonoma State University Police Department does not consider any report of a missing person to be routine and assumes that the missing person is in need of immediate assistance until the facts reveal otherwise. The Sonoma State University Police Department gives missing person cases priority over property-related cases and will not require any time frame to pass before beginning a missing person investigation (Penal Code §14205).

The Sonoma State University Police Department shall render assistance without delay to any person who wishes to report a missing person or runaway (Penal Code §14205). Reporting a missing person can be accomplished by a report via telephone or in person, which initiates the investigation. A report shall be accepted regardless of where the person was last seen, where the person resides or any other question of jurisdiction (Penal Code §14205). If an individual is not immediately located, the Sonoma State University Police Department may enter the missing person into the appropriate missing person network.

If any person has reason to believe that a member of the university community is missing, they should immediately notify the Sonoma State University Police Department at 707.664.4444 or 911.

Missing Students

In addition to the information above, Sonoma State University will notify the student’s emergency contact no later than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing. If the missing student is under the age of 18 and is not an emancipated individual, Sonoma State University will notify the student’s parent or legal guardian immediately after the Sonoma State University Police Department has determined that the student is missing.

In addition to registering an emergency contact(s), students have the option to identify an individual to be contacted by Sonoma State University in the event the student is determined to be missing. If a student has identified such an individual, Sonoma State University will notify that individual no later than 24 hours after the student is determined to be missing. A student’s confidential contact information will be accessible only by authorized campus officials and law enforcement as appropriate. A student who wishes to identify a confidential contact can do so by logging into their MYSSU Student Center and choosing Emergency Contacts.