04-05 Missing Persons

Question 1

A missing person is a person where both the following circumstances exist with respect to the person:

Answer 1

1. The persons whereabouts are unknown and,
   i. the person has not been in contact with people who would likely be in contact with the person, or
   ii. it is reasonable in the circumstances to fear for the person’s safety because of the circumstances
   surrounding the person’s absence or because of any other prescribed considerations.
2. A member of a police force is unable to locate the person after making reasonable efforts to do so.

Question 2

All reports of missing persons are accepted at the time that they are made and given full consideration and attention
regardless of:

Answer 2

 where the missing person resides;
 where the reportee resides;
 the reportee’s relationship to the missing person;
 the length of time the person has been missing; or
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 the missing person’s age, sex, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity,
gender expression, belief, social standing, disability or lifestyle.

Question 3

There are three (3) levels of investigative response to missing person cases. All missing person cases shall be treated
presumptively as high risk unless and until a risk assessment or other available information reasonably supports a different
approach.

Answer 3

Level 1, 2 and 3
Assessments:
Initial Risk Assessment
Ongoing Risk Assessment
Major Case Designation for Missing Persons

Question 4

Initial Risk Assessment - Missing person

Answer 4

The initial level of investigative response required is determined with information collected on the TPS 260 and TPS 260A.
These forms are an investigative aid that are utilized to assist responding officers, supervisors and the Officer in Charge in
assessing the level of risk, urgency, and to determine the appropriate level of investigative response and search that is
required.
The initial risk assessment will be completed as soon as practicable, and promptly reviewed by supervisors for all missing
person cases.

Question 5

Ongoing Risk Assessment - Missing person

Answer 5

The level of risk and required investigative response will be regularly re-evaluated as an ongoing process throughout the
investigation.
The ongoing risk assessment is recorded on the Risk Response Text Template in the original eReport, and will be utilized
throughout the investigation to record all new information as it becomes known, as well as details, assignments,
investigative results and next steps

Question 6

Major Case Designation for Missing Persons

Answer 6

All cases of missing persons where circumstances indicate a strong possibility that the missing person has been the victim
of homicide, an assault causing serious bodily harm, abduction or kidnapping meet the criteria as a major case pursuant to
the Ontario Major Case Management Manual. This includes the strong possibility of being victimized by crime, or other
factors that elevate concerns about the missing person. As such, all missing person occurrences where the strong
possibility cannot reasonably be excluded, or the missing person’s life or safety may be at serious risk shall be treated as
a major case. Therefore, an accredited Major Case Manager shall lead the investigation.
Missing person cases, where it has yet to be determined whether the missing person has been victimized by crime
and the individual remains unaccounted for thirty (30) days after being reported missing, shall be deemed a major case
pursuant to the Ontario Major Case Management Manual for the purpose of utilizing the Ministry approved software
(PowerCase).
In cases where it is suspected or unusual circumstances are encountered the collection of DNA will be conducted under
the direction of Detective Operations – Forensic Identification Services (FIS).

Question 7

The MPU is the centralized unit for the Service that is responsible for developing and maintaining a consistent process
and investigative response for all occurrences of persons missing in the City of Toronto, or on the way to/from the City
of Toronto. This includes both newly reported and historic cases of missing persons and unidentified human remains.
MPU Notification Protocol:
Missing Persons Act
The Missing Persons Act came into effect on July 1, 2019. This legislation will assist police officers investigating
missing person occurrences by providing them with the ability, in certain circumstances, to:
 obtain a court order for a person or entity to produce records that would assist in locating a missing person;
 obtain a search warrant to allow entry onto a premises to locate a missing person; and
 make an urgent demand for records without judicial authorization.
If it is determined that a search warrant or, in exigent circumstances, an urgent demand for records may further the
investigation, police officers shall comply with the relevant direction contained in this Procedure.
National Missing Persons DNA Program
The National Missing Persons DNA Program (NMPDP) is designed to be utilized as an additional resource with
ongoing missing person investigations. The NMPDP is a joint effort of the National Centre for Missing Persons and
Unidentified Remains (NCMPUR) and the National DNA Data Bank (NDDB).
Each person’s DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is unique to them and it can be used to identify a missing person’s remains or
their blood at a crime scene. The DNA of a missing person can be collected from personal items containing their saliva,
blood, skin cells or sweat, as outlined in Appendix A. These types of personal items are often lost even with the short
passage of time and, as a result, should be collected in the early stages of a missing person investigation.
Members of the MPU shall:

Answer 7

 deploy when required, provide divisional support and guidance during missing person investigations;
 engage divisional personnel on all missing person cases that meet the threshold criteria outlined in the MPU
Notification Protocol;
 monitor and review every missing person report;
 ensure standardized investigations and a consistent process of review across the Service;
 maintain continuity and consistency of file management;
 ensure collaboration of partners to leverage all available resources that may be utilized for both investigative
assistance, information and community mobilization;
 enhance Service commitment to a victim-centered approach to all missing person occurrences (victim
support/victim management); and
 identify organizational training needs and ensure they are addressed.

Question 8

The MPU is available twenty four (24) hours a day and the on-call member shall be notified via Toronto Police Operations
Centre (TPOC) in the following instances:

Answer 8

 missing person is a child (0-12 years);
 missing person is elderly (65+);
 missing person has cognitive impairment;
 missing person exhibits suicidal behavior;
 strong possibility of being victimized by crime;
 missing person is a sex trade worker;
 case is multi-jurisdictional;
 require clarity on case ownership / assignment;
 require further investigative support;
 believe to be consistent with pattern or trend of ongoing missing persons or criminal cases;
 unnatural sudden death involving the discovery of unidentified human remains; and
 any other situation with the likelihood of imminent or serious harm.
The MPU will take carriage of unidentified human remains occurrences after thirty (30) days. At the discretion of the Unit
Commander – Homicide and Missing Persons, missing person occurrences may be assigned directly to the MPU

Question 9

The Missing Persons Act came into effect on

Answer 9

July 1, 2019. This legislation will assist police officers investigating
missing person occurrences by providing them with the ability, in certain circumstances, to:
 obtain a court order for a person or entity to produce records that would assist in locating a missing person;
 obtain a search warrant to allow entry onto a premises to locate a missing person; and
 make an urgent demand for records without judicial authorization.

Question 10

Missing Person (A)

Answer 10

 Reportee is situated in the City of Toronto
 Missing person is a resident of the City of Toronto
No member shall dissuade or refuse to accept a call in any instance when a dispatcher from Communications Services
needs to transfer a caller, including those from out of town who are trying to file a missing person’s report.
If any assistance or clarification is required, the supervisory officer may call the Duty Inspector via TPOC.
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The division receiving the report of a missing person shall
 conduct the initial investigation
 complete the applicable eReports
 if the division receiving the report for the missing person is not the division where the missing person resides,
immediately
 provide the eReport number to the Officer in Charge of the division where the missing person resides
 record the name, rank and badge number of the Officer in Charge contacted in the eReport
The division where the missing person resides shall conduct a follow–up investigation.

Question 11

Missing Person (B)

Answer 11

 Reportee is situated in the City of Toronto
 Missing person is not a resident of the City of Toronto
 Area the person is missing from is known
The division receiving the report of a missing person shall
 conduct the initial investigation
 complete the applicable eReports
 if the division receiving the report for the missing person is not the division responsible for the area from which
the person is missing, immediately
 provide the eReport number to the Officer in Charge of the division responsible for the area from which
the person is missing
 record the name, rank and badge number of the Officer in Charge contacted in the eReport
The division responsible for the area where the person is missing from shall conduct a follow–up investigation

Question 12

Missing Person (C)

Answer 12

 Reportee is situated in the City of Toronto
 Missing person is not a resident of the City of Toronto
 Area the person is missing from is unknown
The division receiving the report of a missing person shall
 conduct the initial investigation
 complete the applicable eReports
 conduct a follow-up investigation
 add any new information in the original eReport until the missing person is located or further information is
received concerning the whereabouts of the missing person that identifies an area where the person may be
located or was missing from
 if further information is received about the area from which the person is missing, provide the eReport number
to the Officer in Charge of the division responsible for that area for follow– up investigation

Question 13

Missing Person (D)

Answer 13

 Reportee is situated outside the City of Toronto
 Missing person is a resident of the City of Toronto
The unit receiving a report of a missing person shall transfer the reportee to the division where the missing person resides.
The division where the missing person resides shall
 advise the reportee that a member of the police service having jurisdiction where the reportee is currently
situated will attend to speak with them
 generate a CPIC message to the local police service requesting
 an officer from the local police service attend and speak with the reportee
 the name, rank, badge number, and contact information of the officer from the local police service who is
attending to conduct the initial investigation, be forwarded by CPIC message to the TPS division conducting
the investigation
 all information obtained during the initial investigation be forwarded by facsimile to the TPS division
conducting the investigation
 complete the applicable eReports, including the results of the investigation conducted by the local police service.
The division where the missing person resides shall conduct a follow–up investigation.

Question 14

Missing Person (E)

Answer 14

 Reportee is situated outside the City of Toronto
 Missing person is not a resident of the City of Toronto
 Area the person is missing from is known
The unit receiving a report of a missing person shall transfer the reportee to the division responsible for the area from
which the person is missing.
The division responsible for the area from which the person is missing shall
 advise the reportee that a member of the police service having jurisdiction where the reportee is currently
situated will attend to speak with them
 generate a CPIC message to the local police service requesting
 an officer from the local police service attend and speak with the reportee
 the name, rank, badge number, and contact information of the officer from the local police service
who is attending to conduct the initial investigation, be forwarded by CPIC message to the TPS
division conducting the investigation
 all information obtained during the initial investigation be forwarded by facsimile to the TPS
division conducting the investigation
 complete the applicable eReports, including the results of the investigation conducted by the local police service
The division responsible for the area where the person is missing from shall conduct a follow–up investigation.

Question 15

Missing Person (F)

Answer 15

 Reportee is situated outside the City of Toronto
 Missing person is not a resident of the City of Toronto
 Area the person is missing from is unknown
The unit receiving a report of a missing person shall transfer the reportee to TPOC.
The TPOC shall
 speak with the reportee over the telephone in an attempt to identify an area from which the person is missing
 if the area is identified transfer the reportee to the division responsible for that area
 if the area is not identified, the Officer in Charge – TPOC shall assign the investigation to the most appropriate
division and ensure the reportee is transferred to that division

Question 16

Toronto Resident Reported Missing to another Jurisdiction

Answer 16

When information is received from another police agency that a City of Toronto resident has been reported missing in
another jurisdiction, the Detective Sergeant of the division where the missing person resides shall ensure
 a Service lead investigator is assigned to the occurrence;
 an investigation is undertaken in cooperation with the agency that received the report;
 once the other agency has cleared the investigative leads within their jurisdiction, the Service will take
responsibility for the investigation;
 CPIC entries are updated as required to indicate the investigation is now the responsibility of the Service; and
 compliance with all relevant direction contained in this Procedure.

Question 17

Child Apprehension Warrant

Answer 17

If a missing person is under sixteen (16) years of age and circumstances warrant, the police officer shall advise the parent,
guardian or the approved agency that has custody of the child that they may apply to a Justice of the Peace (Ontario Court
of Justice, Family Division) for an apprehension warrant under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA).
When in receipt of a Child Apprehension Warrant, officers shall scan and attach the warrant to the original eReport and
notify RMS – Ops to ensure the warrant is entered onto CPIC

Question 18

International Investigations - Missing persons

Answer 18

When investigating any missing person case that is international in nature where there is an immediate concern for public
safety, or high risk travelling, officers shall notify Intelligence Services - Security Section (INT – Security) at 8-3500
immediately. Police officers investigating any other cases that are international in scope shall contact the MPU via the
global e-mail address at MissingPersons for assistance.
The MPU will notify INT - Security, as required, and provide investigative support based on Interpol’s missing person’s
protocol

Question 19

Supervisory Officer- Upon being notified of a Level 3 search and investigative response shall notify

Answer 19

Divisional Detective Sergeant
OIC (LEVEL 1 and 2)

Question 20

MPU is notified by

Answer 20

Divisional Investigator

Question 21

OIC when becoming aware of Level 1 or 2 missing person search shall notify

Answer 21

 Unit Commander, if available
 Duty Inspector, via TPOC

Question 22

Upon being notified by the Officer in Charge of the requirement for a Level 1 search and
investigative response shall notify

Answer 22

The appropriate Deputy Chief
On-Call search manager

Question 23

Police Officer upon receiving information that a missing person has been located shall notify

Answer 23

 Communications Services
 MPU
 all members of the Search Management Team at the Command Post, if established
- the reassignment is documented in the original eReport;
- those closely associated with the missing person’s disappearance are advised; and
- when feasible, request the former lead investigator brief the new lead investigator on the investigation
26. Upon receiving information that a missing person has been located deceased shall comply with Procedure 04-02.
 the Officer in Charge
 Corporate Communications

Question 24

AMBER Alert

Answer 24

means a co–operative effort between police, the media and the Ministry of Transportation to provide early
notification to the public where a person under eighteen (18) years of age is believed to have been abducted and where
circumstances lead police to believe that the abducted person is in danger of serious bodily harm or death and there
is enough descriptive information about the abducted person, and/or the abductor, and/or the abductor’s vehicle to believe
an immediate broadcast alert will help in locating the person. An AMBER Alert will have a duration of f i v e ( 5) hours
following activation, unless cancelled or extended

Question 25

Level 3 Missing Person Search

Answer 25

means the level of search implemented when a person is reported missing and there
are no extenuating circumstances. At this level, there are minimal concerns regarding the possibility of being
victimized by crime or the infirmity or limitations of the missing person.

Question 26

Level 2 Missing Person Search

Answer 26

means the level of search when a missing person:
 is under sixteen (16) years and judged likely to be incapable of caring for themselves;
 has known vulnerabilities (including medical and/or mental health conditions, and current emotional/physical
state)
 is over sixty five (65) years of age or infirm, or;
 there is a strong possibility of being victimized by crime

Question 27

Level 1 Missing Person Search

Answer 27

means the level of search implemented when the Level 3 and Level 2 missing person
searches are ineffective or if the situation, due to the extenuating circumstances, necessitates that this level be initiated
immediately

Question 28

Parental Abduction

Answer 28

means the unlawful removal of a child by a parent, guardian, or any other person having lawful care
or charge of a person under the age of fourteen (14) years whether or not there is a custody order in relation to that
child made by a court, with the intent to deprive a parent, guardian, or person having lawful care or charge of the person.