Report a Missing Person
The Surrey Police Service (SPS) is committed to thoroughly and efficiently investigating all missing persons.
How to report a missing person
There is no waiting period to report a person missing in B.C., and anyone can make the report.
If someone you know is missing, please call the non-emergency number at (604) 599-0502. If you have concerns about the missing person’s immediate safety, including children, seniors, anyone with mental or physical challenges, or someone you believe is suicidal please call 911.
Prior to reporting someone missing:
- Check and search their residence
- Check with family members and friends/acquaintances of the person to make sure they have not made other plans
- Check with local hospitals
- Check with the school or employer of the person
- Check places the person frequently visits
- Check and identify their social media accounts
If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Metro Vancouver CrimeStoppers (www.solvecrime.ca) at 1-800-222-TIPS or visit www.tipsubmit.com to submit tips.
Frequently asked questions
When I report a missing person, what can I expect?
SPS will start an investigation right away. To help better understand the situation, our officers may ask the following:
- Age
- Physical description of the individual
- Physical health, or mental health
- Emotional state
- Lifestyle factors
- Circumstances
- Prior Involvement with police
Finding the missing person safe and well is our primary concern. We will also be sure to keep you informed and give you information about available support or resources.
You or the family of the missing person will be consulted before releasing information or photographs of the missing person to the media or on social media. There may be rare exceptions to this, but only if it would affect the investigation or put the missing person at risk.
Our files are never closed until a missing person has been located and their identity has been confirmed.
How do police determine someone is a "missing person"?
A person whose location is unknown and who might be:
- in need of assistance to be reunited with their family, or returned home;
- the victim of an offence;
- in critical need of medical attention;
- mentally impaired and unable to care for themselves;
- a danger to their own safety or that of others;
- a runaway or AWOC (absent without consent).
What is a missing person
A person whose location is unknown and who might be:
- in need of assistance to be reunited with his/her family, or to return home;
- the victim of an offence;
- in critical need of medical attention;
- mentally impaired and unable to care for himself/herself or who might pose a danger to his/her safety or to that of others;
- a runaway or AWOC (absent without consent).
How can I help a missing person investigation?
Be prepared to answer questions and provide information or items to investigators if they ask, such as a photographs.
If the missing person contacts you or returns home, or if you find new information that could help with the investigation, please update police as soon as possible.
Can I report someone who has been missing for a long time, even years?
Yes. Just like any other missing person, please call the police and tell them that you need to report someone as missing. The call taker will guide you through the rest of the process.
Missing person investigation process in BC
In British Columbia, the Provincial Policing Standards for Missing Persons Investigations 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. The standards recognize the need for officer discretion to address the unique needs of each case, with accountability for decisions through supervisory review.
In June 2015, new provincial legislation came into effect, the Missing Persons Act, which improves police access to information that could help locate a missing person. The Act allows police to apply for court orders to access records or conduct searches in cases where a criminal offence is not suspected. The Act also allows officers to directly demand access to records in emergency situations.