Police adopting protocol to find missing veterans
HandoutAn initiative designed to help police respond more effectively when a serving member of the armed forces, military veteran or reservist is reported missing has been rolled out in Devon and Cornwall.
Devon and Cornwall Police have adopted the Forcer Protocol, which allows family and friends to pre-submit information before someone reaches a crisis point and goes missing.
The protocol is named in honour of solider Alan Forcer, who took his own life after going missing in 2020.
The force said information submitted was completely confidential and officers could only access it when someone was reported missing, adding: "Once located, they can be signposted to the appropriate support services."
Claire Lilly, former wife of the Army lance corporal, acknowledged the South West had a "strong connection with the armed forces".
She said: "Alan served in Kosovo and Northern Ireland, but, like many other service personnel, he struggled with mental health issues.
"The aim behind the Forcer Protocol is to help other personnel and their families, by identifying if a person being reported missing has an armed forces history and providing information which can help the police to find them."
Veterans and service personnel can self-refer to the protocol, or friends and family members can register them.
Det Supt James Dowler, missing persons lead for Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "The more information we have about the person we're looking for, the easier it is for us to assess the risk and locate them safely.
"By registering that information in advance through the Forcer Protocol, vulnerable people and their loved ones are providing us with an invaluable head start when someone with a service background is reported missing."