Reporting

There is no “24 Hour” rule. If your loved one is missing and you have safety concerns call 911. An immediate assessment of risk will be done and key agencies such as hospitals will be contacted.

If possible, find a recent photo of your loved one, and assemble information about where they might be and what they might be wearing. This will help the police locate your loved one.

Expect to Be Taken Seriously.

When reporting that a loved one is missing expect the police to take you seriously.

Answer the police’s questions as clearly as you can.

Try to not downplay the seriousness of the situation.

Prepare information that will help the police find the person such as:

• Pictures
• Social media information
• Lists of where they might go
• Friends

Police Will Actively Investigate

In BC every report of a person who is missing must be immediately investigated. This includes a detailed assessment of whether the person is at risk or not. Cases where a person is considered to be at risk will involve extensive investigation.

75 percent of missing people in Vancouver are considered to be at risk by the police.

Missing Persons Investigations Are Not Closed Until the Case is Solved.

When a person is missing the investigation is not closed until they are located.

Emergency Services Cannot Automatically Trace the Location of a Mobile Phone.

Police agencies can trace a mobile phone where there is a safety issue, however, it takes at least 10 minutes and is not always specific.

Calls to 911 From a Landline Can Be Traced

Emergency services In larger centres can always trace the location of a call to 911 from a landline.

Calls to police non-emergency numbers cannot be traced.

Updates

Typically police agencies appoint a family liaison officer to connect with families of missing loved ones. This person will provide updates and answer any questions you may have.

Expect the police to contact you if your loved one is located.

Police Investigation Process

See this link for the Vancouver Police Department’s procedures relating to missing persons investigations (see Section 1.6.25):  https://vpd.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/vpd-regulations-and-procedures-manual.pdf

Complaint Process

The most straight-forward way to make a formal complaint is through the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC).

The OPCC is the BC agency that oversees the complaint process for police officers from independent municipal forces. The OPCC is an independent office of the BC Legislature and provides independent civilian oversight. The complaint process for the OPCC is outlined in the BC Police Act. See  https://opcc.bc.ca/ for more information.

Complaints can be made by emailing info@opcc.bc.ca, calling 250-356-7458, or filling out an online form available at https://opcc.bc.ca/make-a-complaint/submit-online-complaint/