A review of uncleared missing person cases and police responses in Alberta

Research into the topic of missing person cases in Canada indicates a gap between understanding the complete extent of this issue and the police response to such cases. Within the Canadian policing community, it is evident that there is a consensus regarding the value in developing a national missing persons program that would include a national database, a national public website, streamlined policies and investigational procedures, and strategic partnerships. However, it is not yet clear how such a program would be developed and sustained. Presently, there exist isolated Provincial responses to this most important topic. This major paper will focus on the Province of Alberta and examine the extent of uncleared missing person cases and the associated police responses. This research commenced with a review of available statistics on uncleared missing persons cases in Alberta in an effort to provide an accurate reflection of the current state of uncleared missing persons cases in the Province. The research then examined the associated police responses and concluded with a discussion centering on the matter of how police respond to missing persons cases in Alberta. Recommendations from this paper have already been implemented in Alberta and others are being further considered for use across Canada.