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Difference between revisions of "Missing Persons and Abductions (4:IX)"
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Missing Persons and Abductions (4:IX) (view source)
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In British Columbia, there is no waiting period to report someone missing and anyone can make a report. Furthermore, you do not need to be a member of the missing persons immediately family to make a report. Before contacting police, you may want to reach out family members, friends, loved ones and next of kin prior to filing a report. However, if these attempts at gaining information on an individuals whereabouts are unsuccessful, reporting to police is the best next step. You can expect the following from police when making a report : | In British Columbia, there is no waiting period to report someone missing and anyone can make a report. Furthermore, you do not need to be a member of the missing persons immediately family to make a report. Before contacting police, you may want to reach out family members, friends, loved ones and next of kin prior to filing a report. However, if these attempts at gaining information on an individuals whereabouts are unsuccessful, reporting to police is the best next step. You can expect the following from police when making a report : | ||
* Report will be taken seriously, and investigation started without delay. | |||
* Conducting a thorough investigation, including risk assessment, focused on the safety and wellbeing of the missing person | |||
* Offer information about supports or resources that may be available, designate a contact person within the police force to support ongoing communication, and keep you updated on the investigation, as appropriate | |||
* Consult with the family or reportee before releasing information or photographs of the missing person to the media, unless doing so would jeopardize the missing person or the investigation, for example by creating delays. | |||
* When a missing person has been found, attend the location in person to confirm their identity and wellbeing. To balance respect for privacy with police duty to investigate safety concerns, this may be handled differently in some circumstances. | |||
* Not close a file until the missing person has been located and their identity has been established. | |||
* Not share information about the location of a found missing adult without their permission. Police may also keep this information confidential in certain cases involving minors, depending on the circumstances. | |||
* Where appropriate, work with other agencies to promote a found missing person’s ongoing safety and limit recurring reports involving the same person, or to prevent others from going missing in similar circumstances. | |||
1. Governing Legislation and Resources | 1. Governing Legislation and Resources | ||
