A BOLO in police work means “Be On the Lookout.” It’s an alert used by law enforcement to ask officers to watch for a specific person, vehicle, or item of interest.

What it means

A BOLO is basically a quick warning message shared among officers, dispatchers, and sometimes the public. It usually includes identifying details like a suspect’s description, a car’s make/model/license plate, or other key clues.

When it’s used

Police may issue a BOLO when they are searching for:

  • A wanted suspect.
  • A missing person.
  • A stolen vehicle or item.
  • Someone linked to an ongoing investigation.

Simple example

If police are looking for a red sedan with a specific plate number, they might send out a BOLO so nearby officers know exactly what to watch for.

If you want, I can also explain the difference between a BOLO , a warrant , and an Amber Alert.