The Northwest Territories RCMP recognize the need to investigate a missing person report in an efficient and effective manner. We would like to share a few facts and steps to take when you believe someone is missing.
There is no waiting period for filing a missing person report to the RCMP. Family and friends would know the person's routine well enough to recognize if the disappearance is out of character for this person. The sooner we are made aware of a disappearance; the sooner we are able to begin work on locating the person.
If a person is under 12, elderly or has significant mental or developmental disabilities, call your local RCMP detachment or 911 immediately.
You can file a missing person report no matter how long the person has been missing.
You do not need to be a relative to file a missing person report. Friends, neighbours, coworkers, community workers, or anyone who knows the missing person well enough, can all file a report to the RCMP, or local police of jurisdiction.
You can report a missing person with either the police of jurisdiction where the person went missing OR at your local RCMP detachment. For example, if the person is from Yellowknife, but went missing in Edmonton, you could file a report with the police force in Edmonton OR with your local RCMP. Police forces work in collaboration, so the report will be shared with the police force in the area where the disappearance is believed to have occurred.
Resources are available to help cope you when someone from your family or community is missing:
Canada's Missing
Canadian Centre for Child Protection
Canadian Centre for Information on Missing Adults
Missing Children Society of Canada
Missing Kids
Native Women's Association Canada: Navigating the Missing persons process
If you need to report a missing person, call your local NT RCMP detachment at (local three digits)-1111 or call 911.