How-To Guides
Bulletin Types Explained
APBnet supports multiple bulletin types — each with its own routing behavior and appropriate use case. Choosing the right type ensures your bulletin reaches the right people with the right level of urgency.
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how-to/bulletin-type-selector.pngBulletin creation — type selector showing all available bulletin types with brief descriptions
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Standard bulletin types
These types follow standard distribution — they go to all users at the agencies you select in the Distribution step.
BOLO— Be On the Lookout
A broadcast bulletin asking law enforcement to watch for a specific person, vehicle, or object. BOLOs are among the most common bulletin types in APBnet — use them when you need wide awareness without the urgency of a Wanted Person or Missing Person bulletin.
Wanted Person
An individual for whom an arrest warrant has been issued. Wanted Person bulletins are high-priority and support elevated distribution scope and officer safety flagging. Use these when a warrant is in hand.
Missing Person
A person whose whereabouts are unknown and whose safety is in question. Missing Person bulletins have severity tiers — standard, endangered, or AMBER Alert — which determine distribution scope and notification urgency. Select the tier carefully.
AMBER Alert
A public notification for confirmed child abductions meeting specific legal criteria. APBnet supports AMBER Alerts as a high-priority type with broadcast distribution to all subscribing agencies. AMBER Alert issuance follows your state's established criteria — consult your coordinator before issuing.
Endangered Missing Advisory
Issued when a person is missing and believed to be in danger, but the circumstances don't meet AMBER Alert criteria. Common for missing adults with cognitive impairments, medical conditions, or other vulnerability factors.
Blue Alert
Issued when a law enforcement officer has been killed or seriously injured by a suspect who remains at large. Blue Alerts trigger broad distribution and high-priority notification to all receiving agencies.
ATL— Attempt to Locate
A request to watch for and attempt to locate a specific person or vehicle. Less urgent than a BOLO — use ATL when you need eyes out but don't require an immediate stop-and-hold response.
Officer Safety
Bulletins flagging specific individuals, locations, or situations that represent elevated risk to officers. Officer Safety bulletins are high-priority and distribute broadly to ensure field personnel are aware before any contact.
Training Opportunity — routes differently
Training Opportunity
Training Opportunity bulletins are not broadcast to all users at receiving agencies. They route only to designated point-of-contact recipients configured by your Program Admin.
Why: Training logistics — scheduling, attendance, completion requirements — don't belong in field officers' operational inboxes. Routing to POC contacts keeps this content where it's actionable.
To configure POC contacts: A Program Admin at your agency sets the designated recipients in the Feature Access settings. If Training Opportunity bulletins aren't reaching the right people, the Program Admin needs to update the contact list.
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how-to/bulletin-type-training-opportunity.pngTraining Opportunity bulletin type selected in the type selector — showing the routing note about POC contacts
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Tips
Type determines urgency — choose carefully
Selecting a high-priority type like AMBER Alert or Blue Alert triggers elevated notification and broad distribution. Use these types only when the criteria are met. Over-using high-priority types erodes their value over time.
Missing Person severity tiers control distribution scope
When creating a Missing Person bulletin, the severity tier you select — standard, endangered, or AMBER Alert — determines how broadly it distributes and how urgently recipients are notified. Assess the situation carefully before selecting.
Your agency may not have all types enabled
Program Admins can enable or disable specific bulletin types for their agency. If you don't see a type you expect, contact your Program Admin.
Related guides
Choosing a Bulletin Layout
Pick the right layout for your bulletin type and preview before sending.
Read the guide →
Using Bulletin Fields
Fill in structured fields so your bulletin is searchable and filterable.
Read the guide →
Map-Based Distribution Selection
Choose which agencies receive your bulletin using the map.
Read the guide →