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In BC, Provincial Policing Standards for Missing Persons investigations (Standards) have been in effect since September 2016. The standards and associated Guiding Principles establish the overall approach to missing person investigations for all BC police agencies, including Transit Police.
Transit Police is a specialized regional police service and thus, it is not considered the primary police of jurisdiction (municipality where a person lives or goes missing) under the Standards. However, as a police service in the Lower Mainland, Transit Police is prepared and required by the Standards to take an initial missing person report. In particular, this is important when a person goes missing on the transit system.
Transit Police is committed to ensuring that reports of missing persons are addressed in a timely and sensitive manner. If you believe someone is missing, please report it to the police. Your inquiry will be taken seriously and the investigation will start without delay.
There is no waiting period to report a person missing in BC and anyone can make the report.
Transit Police will work with the appropriate police service to initiate an investigation, promptly transfer the report, and/or investigate as necessary. (For the Transit Police Policy OB180 on Missing Person Investigations, click here.)
If you feel the missing person is not in imminent danger:
• Call directly to the local police department where the missing person lives; or
• Call the Transit Police non-emergency number at (604-515-8300) or
text 87 77 77 to assist and advise the call taker you wish to make a missing person report.
If you have concerns about the missing person’s immediate safety, or if the missing person is a child, senior, anyone with mental or physical challenges, needs timely medical treatment, or is someone you believe is suicidal, please call 9-1-1.
To assist the police in conducting the investigation, you will be asked for information about the missing person. Information that may be requested includes: a physical description of the missing person (hair colour, height, weight, gender, ethnicity, tattoos and scars, clothing worn at last sighting), if last seen on transit, the direction and mode of travel such as SkyTrain, Canada Line, or bus #, where and when they were last seen, where they usually reside, work and/or spend time, and the names of family, friends or other connections who may be able to provide further information. You may be asked to provide a photograph or personal item belonging to the missing person. You will be provided with a police file number and contact information of the liaison officer (police officer) which may be referenced when making inquiries about the investigation.
You are asked to advise the police as soon as possible if the missing person contacts you or returns home, or you obtain new information that could assist the investigation.
Transit Police works with victim services at the local municipal police agency and other services to link available victim services to assist those affected by crime or trauma, including those who have reported a missing person, or are otherwise involved with a missing persons investigation. Victim Services provide emotional support, information about the missing persons investigative process, and referrals to counselling and other services. Please speak with your liaison officer about available support or:
Contact VictimLinkBC
Call or Text: 1-800-563-0808
Email: 211-VictimLinkBC@uwbc.ca
Additional information regarding missing persons may be obtained from:
• Canada’s Missing
• missingkids.ca
• Native Women’s Association of Canada Community Resource Guide
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