§15-3C-5. Notice to participating media; broadcast of alert.

(a) To participate, the media may agree, upon notice from the West Virginia State Police via email or facsimile, to transmit information to the public about a missing law-enforcement officer or a suspect or suspects that has occurred within their broadcast service region.

(b) The alerts shall include a description of the missing law-enforcement officer, suspect, or suspects, such details of the circumstance surrounding the law-enforcement officer becoming missing or the death or injury to the law-enforcement officer, as may be known, and such other information as the West Virginia State Police may deem pertinent and appropriate. The West Virginia State Police shall, in a timely manner, update the broadcast media with new information when appropriate concerning the missing law-enforcement officer, suspect, or suspects.

(c) The alerts also shall provide information concerning how those members of the public who have information relating to the missing law-enforcement officer, suspect, or suspects may contact the West Virginia State Police or other appropriate law-enforcement agency.

(d) Concurrent with the notice provided to the broadcast media, the West Virginia State Police shall also notify the Department of Transportation, the Division of Highways and the West Virginia Turnpike Commission of the Blue Alert so that the department and the affected authorities may, if possible, through the use of their variable message signs, inform the motoring public that a Blue Alert is in progress and may provide information relating to the missing law-enforcement officer, suspect, or suspects and how motorists may report any information they have to the State Police or other appropriate law-enforcement agency.

(e) The alerts shall terminate upon notice from the West Virginia State Police.

(f) The Superintendent shall develop and undertake a campaign to inform law-enforcement agencies about the Blue Alert program established under this article.