Police Use of the ‘Safe Return Home’ System

Why was Safe Return Home Developed?

The Safe Return Home system was developed after representations from Australian Police Departments and Aged Care Services to Applied Aged Care Solutions.  Police were interested in a system that would assist them with searches and identification of people who are disoriented and lost (usually people with Alzheimer’s but sometimes others with an Intellectual disability, Psychiatric disability or neurological disorder).  The system has many benefits for Police in their community policing role.  Please refer to the case studies for evidence of the important and extensive role of Police in activities related to missing people with memory and cognitive loss. 

In response to these requests and feedback from carers and service providers, AACS has developed an Internet system Safe Return Home.  This system will save Police time and make the searching and identification of ‘at risk’ missing people much more efficient.  Senior Police have special administrative access and can provide general Police with access to the system from any location with an internet connection.

What are the Basic Features of the Safe Return Home System?

The Safe Return Home system provides many features to help support people ‘at risk’ and their families and provide Police with a searchable internet database system with special broadcast facilities.  The features include:

1. an up-to-date database for Police to help them identify or locate a missing person.   Police can also produce printed reports, enter updates on missing episodes and trigger ‘Broadcasts’ using email or fax from the system.  This will allow for easier transmission of information between stations and to other relevant parties involved in the search.

2. a public website that will allow access for people and services (eg. public transport, taxi services; shopping centre management) in the community that are highly likely to come into contact with disoriented ‘missing people’. 

3. a private Internet ‘database’ available 24-hours 7 days per week from any location for families and carers to store all relevant care, medical and behavioural details on their person at risk. 

4. an on-person identification Medical ID Product can be purchased to provide additional security.   

Police Interface with System

Police personnel are able access the Safe Return Home system to obtain up to date information designed to not only help identify and locate the person, but also to guide communication with the person and assess the need for medical intervention.  Police personnel will be provided with a username and password by the Police Safe Return Home system administrator.  This will allow access to all database information from any internet connection.  Police can search the database, post and update missing person episodes and generate ‘broadcasts’ from the internet system. A broadcast allows Police to email or fax summary details of the missing person to relevant parties.  A graphical representation of how the system will work for Police is included below for reference.  The System Specifics are also provided.

What Type of Data is Collected?

The Registration form has been designed to provide Police with the information required to assist with the location and identification of individuals reported as missing or who are found wandering and disorientated in a public area. 

To ensure that the information provided by carers is consistent with the format utilised by Police, a systematic coding system has been put in place. The data collection forms have been designed in consultation with Police missing person sections and the database system was designed after discussions with a number of Police personnel.

Basic information available for all individuals on the Safe Return Home system includes a colour photograph, detailed description of person, contact details of carer and other listed contact persons.

Figure 1: Police and Safe Return Home