What must an officer have before a locate message is sent?

In the context of sending a locate message, the officer must have the subject in custody to initiate this process effectively. When a subject is in custody, it signifies that the officer has confirmed the individual's identity and linked them to a specific incident or investigation. This helps ensure that the locate message is relevant and necessary, as it pertains to a situation where there is a legal basis for locating that individual.

This is crucial for maintaining legal standards and protocol in law enforcement. Sending a locate message without the subject in custody can lead to potential legal complications or misuse of the system, as it may not be justified without verified evidence of their involvement in criminal activity or an ongoing investigation.

Other options, while relevant to investigative procedures, do not directly establish the foundation for sending a locate message in the same manner as having a subject in custody does. Thus, having custody of the subject ensures that the officer is acting within the scope of their duties and applying law enforcement resources appropriately.