Definitions - Missing Person

Question 1

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.

Answer 1

Amber Alert

Question 2

means a portable storage box containing the necessary items essential to the supervisory officer
at the scene of a Level 1 or Level 2 search. These items shall be determined by Procedure 04–05 and established practice, and should be located where it is easily accessible by the Officer in Charge.

Answer 2

Divisional Search Box

Question 3

means the police officer who has taken charge of the incident and who is in charge at the
Command Post and, in conjunction with other emergency services commanders, is responsible for coordinating and
managing police response at an incident.

Answer 3

Incident Commander

Question 4

means the last substantiated (by clues or evidence) position that the missing person was known to be.

Answer 4

Last Known Place

Question 5

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.

Answer 5

Level 3 Missing Person Search

Question 6

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

Answer 6

Level 2 Missing Person Search

Question 7

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.

Answer 7

Level 1 Missing Person Search

Question 8

means the investigator responsible for the effective governance and management of
every threshold major case investigation and possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the functions of
Major Case Management. The Major Case Manager shall have successfully completed the Ontario Major Case
Management Course or equivalent as defined by the Ontario Police College, and; shall have the resources to manage
investigations through the minister– approved software, currently known as PowerCase.
[Source: Ontario Major Case Management Manual]
For the purposes of a homicide investigation, the Major Case Manager shall be an investigator from Detective Operations
- Homicide.
For the purposes of a sexual assault investigation, the Major Case Manager shall be an investigator from Detective
Operations – Sex Crimes.
For the purposes of a human trafficking investigation, the Major Case Manager shall be an investigator from Detective
Operations - Sex Crimes - Human Trafficking Enforcement Team.
For the purposes of a kidnapping investigation, the Major Case Manager shall be an investigator from Detective
Operations - Organized Crime Enforcement.

Answer 8

Major Case Manager

Question 9

means a person where both the following circumstances exist with respect to the person:
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. [Source: Missing
Person Act, 2018]

Answer 9

Missing Person

Question 10

means the member assigned to the Homicide – Missing Persons Unit that provides
assistance to lead investigators and divisional officers assigned to missing person and unidentified human remains
investigations. The Missing Person Coordinator will
 examine all missing person occurrences to ensure quality control, case continuity, consistency and compliance with
related procedures;
 evaluate the risk and response assessments of missing person investigations;
 connect officers with existing and new community resources to assist with investigations;
 act as a liaison between investigators and the reportees and/or families in missing persons investigations;
 liaise with the Office of the Chief Coroner / Ontario Forensic Pathology Service on issues relating to unidentified human
remains, as required;
 develop contacts and builds relationships with social services, public health and community organizations/agencies.
Maintains a list of current community resources available to assist with investigations;
 plan and deliver training as required.

Answer 10

Missing Person Coordinator

Question 11

means a web page located on the Service Internet site used to publish information and
pictures regarding missing person investigations that have proceeded to a Level 1 search.

Answer 11

Missing Persons Search Page

Question 12

means the national centre created and
maintained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to compile data on missing persons and unidentified
remains. The Toronto Police Service supports the centre and encourages officers to forward pertinent information
to the RCMP to assist in matters of missing persons and unidentified remains.

Answer 12

National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains (NCMPUR)

Question 13

means the national registry created and maintained by the Royal
Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to compile data on missing and abducted children. The Toronto Police Service supports
the registry and encourages officers to forward pertinent information to the RCMP to assist in matters of both parental
and non–parental abduction.

Answer 13

National Missing Children’s Operations (NMCO)

Question 14

means the unlawful removal of a child by a person other than a parent, guardian, or person
having lawful care or charge of the child.

Answer 14

Non–Parental Abduction

Question 15

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.

Answer 15

Parental Abduction

Question 16

means the location where the missing person was actually seen by a witness. The PLS may shift
throughout the course of the investigation as new information is known.

Answer 16

Place Last Seen (PLS)

Question 17

means the investigator assigned by the Major Case Manager in every threshold major case
investigation to perform the functions and responsibilities of the primary investigation function. The PrimaryInvestigator
shall have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the function; shall have successfully completed the Ontario Major
Case Management Course or equivalent, as defined by the Ontario Police College.

Answer 17

Primary Investigator

Question 18

means the team from Emergency Management & Public Order (EM&PO), led by a search
manager, supporting the requesting division, and responsible for coordinating a Level 1 search for a missing person.
EM&PO is the service resource supporting the division.

Answer 18

Search Management Team

Question 19

means the provincially accredited police officer in charge of the Emergency Management &
Public Order – Search Management Team.

Answer 19

Search Manager

Question 20

means an approach to interviewing that will avoid re-traumatizing and adding unnecessary
stress to the individual being interviewed. The benefit of this approach is that you are likely to get better information, and
the interviewee will feel respected rather than victimized by the interview itself. A trauma-informed approach is not
developed through following a checklist or a list of techniques, but by being constantly aware, paying attention, and being
sensitive to the experience of others. When thinking about a trauma informed approach to interviewing, should consider
 building rapport;
 giving the interviewee a sense of control;
 choosing questions carefully;
 sensitivity to differences; and
 what you are bringing to the table.

Answer 20

Trauma-Informed Approach