1. Upon establishment of the blue alert criteria in section 80H.3, the department shall transmit a blue alert through the emergency alert system to Iowa broadcasters.

Terms Used In Iowa Code 80H.4

  • Department: means the department of public safety. See Iowa Code 80H.1
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Internet: means the federated international system that is composed of allied electronic communication networks linked by telecommunication channels, that uses standardized protocols, and that facilitates electronic communication services, including but not limited to use of the world wide web; the transmission of electronic mail or messages; the transfer of files and data or other electronic information; and the transmission of voice, image, and video. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Law enforcement agency: means a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the search for a suspect in a case involving the death or serious injury of a peace officer in the line of duty, or a law enforcement agency employing a peace officer who is reported missing while on duty under circumstances warranting concern for the peace officer's safety. See Iowa Code 80H.1
  • Peace officer: means the same as defined in section 801. See Iowa Code 80H.1
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" may include the said district and territories. See Iowa Code 4.1
 2. Upon the transmission of a blue alert, the department shall post the alert on an internet website accessible by the public.
 3. After an initial blue alert transmission, additional information may be submitted by the participating law enforcement agency by facsimile transmission, electronic mail, or telephonic means.
 4. The bureau chief of the department of public safety communications bureau may direct the transmission of an Iowa blue alert upon request from another state, provided that there is evidence the suspect may be present in Iowa.
 5. The blue alert transmission may be directed to a specific geographic location within the state if the department of public safety communications center determines that the nature of the event makes it probable that the suspect or peace officer did not leave a certain geographic location of the state.
 6. A blue alert shall terminate if any of the following occur:

 a. The suspect or peace officer is located.
 b. The department determines that the blue alert is no longer an effective tool for locating the suspect or peace officer.
 c. Five hours have elapsed since the transmission of the blue alert.
 7. A blue alert may be renewed.
 8. Law enforcement agencies shall notify the department immediately upon taking a suspect into custody or upon locating the missing peace officer.
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