A missing child is every family’s worst nightmare.
Every year, approximately 45,000 children are reported missing in Canada, according to missingkids.ca. This translates to a child going missing every 11 minutes. Although many cases are quickly resolved, some become long-term missing persons police files.
For RCMP Members, solving these cases isn’t just about evidence and procedure: it’s about saving young lives and standing with families in deeply challenging times.
To help find missing people, including children, there are many tools Members’ can access, with perhaps the most well-known being an AMBER Alert.
As Canada’s national police service with ~20,000 police officers protecting communities from Vancouver Island to Labrador, and the southern Prairies to the Arctic, our Members are intimately familiar with this tool, its importance, and how to use it best.
What is an AMBER Alert?
First created in 1996, AMBER alerts were named after 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was kidnapped in Arlington, Texas, and tragically murdered. This horrific event exposed the need for a way to alert a community and harness the power of thousands of eyes to support police officers in searching for a missing child.
What started as a voluntary partnership between police and broadcasters in Texas expanded internationally once proven effective and can now be lifesaving.
By 2009, every Canadian province and territory had an AMBER Alert system in place. Since its introduction, hundreds of children have been safely found thanks to the quick response of alert citizens working effectively with police.
Case Study: Surrey Multi-Day AMBER Alert
In July 2023, Surrey RCMP Members led what became the longest Amber Alert in B.C. history, lasting ten days. This situation involved two children who had been allegedly abducted by their mother who failed to return the children to their father after a vacation earlier that month. Eventually, through the use of investigative tools and an AMBER Alert, Members were able to safely locate children in Alberta, and they returned home safe.
“Surrey RCMP Serious Crime Unit worked tirelessly to locate and bring two children home safely,” explains RCMP Sgt. Vanessa Munn, who was the lead spokesperson for the Surrey RCMP during the AMBER Alert.
“Even after the children were safely reunited with their family, the work continued to hold those responsible accountable.”
The case underscored both the challenges and strengths of the system: managing misinformation on social media, following up on hundreds of public tips, and keeping the community engaged over multiple days.
The Pressure Behind an Alert
Despite being a well-known tool, there are many misconceptions about AMBER Alerts. Some believe they’re only triggered by a custody dispute. Others question why an alert isn’t issued for a missing youth who hasn’t been abducted.
The reality is that there are a strict set of criteria RCMP Members – and all police – follow to ensure these alerts are used only when they can truly make a difference.
What Criteria Must Be Met for an AMBER Alert?
“The public is often critical when police initiate an Amber Alert, especially in cases of parental abductions. But the key is that there must be reason to believe the child is in imminent danger,” Sgt. Munn explains. “This is not about custody disputes — it’s about a child’s safety.”
Specific criteria for when an AMBER Alert should be issued may vary across Canada.
At the core, the most basic requirements include:
- The child is under 18.
- Police have reasonable grounds to believe the child has been abducted.
- There’s reason to believe the child is in grave danger.
- Police have descriptive information about the child, suspect, or vehicle.
- There’s a reasonable expectation that issuing the alert will help locate the child or apprehend the abductor.
Although the time to confirm abduction, assess danger, and gather descriptions can vary, once all the criteria are met, RCMP Members can issue an AMBER alert within minutes.
It’s extremely important to note that while an AMBER Alert is an important tool for RCMP Members in a race against time, the tool may not be appropriate in every circumstance. In many cases, their effectiveness depends on ensuring they are only used in these specific circumstances.
Emergency Alerts: Not Without Risk
Once an AMBER Alert is activated, there can be negative risks that Members have to navigate. For example, as soon as an Alert is issued, Members begin to face an onslaught of calls, tips, and media questions. There is also the ever-increasing threat of misinformation spreading online with citizen investigators and armchair quarterbacks sharing their own theories and information about an event. These distractions can seriously risk slowing an investigation, and when every second counts, the delay could be fatal.
Why the Public’s Role is Crucial
Sgt. Munn emphasizes that the public is an essential partner in these alerts. The best thing the public can do during an AMBER alert is to:
- Stay alert: Note all details in the alert – the child, the suspect, and the vehicle.
- Pay attention: Observe license plates, clothing, travel direction, or unusual activity.
- Report immediately: Call 911 or the number provided in the alert with accurate, detailed information.
- Avoid speculation online: False information can derail investigations.
- Let police handle public updates: Share verified information only.
- Remain vigilant: Awareness even hours after the alert can make a difference.
- Respect the urgency: AMBER alerts are life-saving tools – don’t tie up emergency lines with complaints.
AMBER Alerts are a reminder that protecting children is not just the responsibility of law enforcement: when it’s a race against time, it needs a collective effort. By staying alert, remaining vigilant, and sharing information with police, you can be a hero for a family.
Want to see more about how AMBER Alerts can help make a difference? Check out our scenario video featuring real life RCMP Members solving a fictional case through the link here! Why We Serve: To Keep Families Safe (90 seconds)