What is the Blue Alert Program?

The Kansas Blue Alert Program was authorized during the 2014 legislative session with the enrollment of House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) No. 5029. HCR 5029 authorized the KBI to create the Blue Alert Program to speed the apprehension of violent criminals who kill or seriously injure law enforcement officers. Kansas is the 19th state to create such a program.

Did HCR 5029 establish criteria for the issuance of a Blue Alert?

HCR 5029 placed the responsiblity for the Blue Alert with the KBI. HCR 5029 requires that four criteria must be met for a Blue Alert to be issued:

  • A law enforcement officer must have been killed or seriously injured by an offender;
  • The investigating law enforcement agency must determine that the offender poses a serious risk or threat to the public and other law enforcement personnel;
  • A detailed description of the offender's vehicle, vehicle tag or partial tag must be available for the broadcast to the public; and
  • The investigating law enforcement agency of jurisdiction must recommend activation of the Blue Alert.

How does a law enforcement agency request a Blue Alert?

Any law enforcement agency that is investigating an incident where a law enforcement officer has been killed or seriously injured by an offender can request a Blue Alert. Once it is clear that the four criteria have been met, the law enforcement agency should call the KBI Help Desk. The KBI Help Desk is a 24-hour operation and can be reached by calling 1-800-KS CRIME

Will the KBI issue a Blue Alert if the investigating agency only has an offender description or other personal identifiers and no vehicle description?

Yes. While HCR 5029 only provides criteria for the offender's vehicle information, the KBI may still issue a Blue Alert. If the investigating agency and the KBI believe that the release of a physical description or personal identifiers will aid in speedy apprehension of the offender and increase public safety through awareness of the suspect's description, then the KBI will still issue a Blue Alert.



House Concurrent Resolution No. 5029