Each year the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) recognizes the extraordinary efforts of law enforcement officers who have successfully resolved cases involving missing or sexually exploited children.

Awards are given to individuals for cases resulting in the recovery of a missing child or resolution of a child sexual-exploitation case. Although many law enforcement officers have extensive experience investigating these cases, NCMEC’s awards are based on the nominee’s investigation of a single case.

For purposes of the awards, child-sexual exploitation refers to cases involving perpetrators who are not related to the victim. The awards are intended to recognize individual efforts.

The nominee must be a sworn law enforcement officer with no departmental or other charges currently pending who has performed an investigative activity deemed exceptional or beyond the call of duty and have safely recovered a missing child or solved a child sexual-exploitation case within 2005.

In addition to the sworn law enforcement officer, non-law-enforcement personnel may be added to the case nomination if they provided substantial assistance that is considered to be worthy of recognition.

All nominations must be received by NCMEC by Wednesday, February 1, 2006. Confirmation of receipt will be sent by e-mail to the nominator. Nominations are reviewed by the NCMEC Law Enforcement Committee. Letters announcing the results will be mailed in March. Awards will be presented on Wednesday, May 10, 2006, at a ceremony in Washington, DC, in recognition of National Missing Children’s Day.

For more information about the Eleventh Annual National Missing and Exploited Children’s Awards and how to nominate a law enforcement officer, visit www.missingkids.com.