What must law enforcement do upon receiving a missing child report?

When law enforcement receives a missing child report, it is crucial for them to enter the report into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) missing persons file. This action is essential for several reasons.

First, the NCIC serves as a nationwide database that allows law enforcement agencies across different jurisdictions to access vital information about missing persons, including children. By entering the report into this system, law enforcement ensures that the child’s information can be instantly shared with other agencies nationwide, greatly increasing the chances of locating the missing child quickly.

Additionally, the NCIC database is typically monitored by various law enforcement and agencies, making it a central point for information related to missing persons. This systematic approach helps facilitate more efficient searches and coordination among different law enforcement agencies.

The other options, while potentially beneficial in specific contexts, do not provide the immediate and wide-reaching connectivity that is critical in the early stages of a missing child investigation. For instance, notifying the school district or contacting local media may be part of a broader investigative strategy but are not as immediately impactful as entering the information into a federal database that has extensive outreach and capability for rapid response.