An RCMP Sergeant says when police issue a press release for a missing person, it is because there is reason for concern for that individual's safety.
    
Bert Paquet says a missing person is someone who is unaccounted for, for whatever reason and whatever age. He notes the specifics of each case will dictate whether or not this is considered a high risk missing person or a chronic, habitual runaway.

RCMP Sergeant Bert Paquet"A lot of factors are involved," says Paquet. "Is there substance abuse involved, is there lifestyle issues, age and gender are definitely big contributing factors as to whether or not a person will be subject of a press release for being missing."

Not only that, but Paquet says several heads are involved when making this decision. The specifics of each case are discussed with the criminal operations investigator, as well as investigators in charge of the case from that specific detachment.

When it comes to a missing persons file, Paquet says they are always case specific. That means, contrary to what you might see on television, here in Manitoba there is not a certain number of hours that must first elapse before someone is considered missing. Other factors to consider are how many times that person has gone missing and how long it has been since they last went missing.

"If this is a first time occurrence it immediately prompts in-depth look or investigation into the circumstances of that specific person being missing," says Paquet.

Paquet says if someone goes missing every single Friday, but always returns Sunday night, police won't issue a press release. And not only that, but Paquet says some people just don't want to go home for whatever reason and adults do have the right to willingly go missing.

"We also want to make sure that not everyone is subject of a press release because as time goes by, media attention and public attention will not be the same," explains Paquet. "When we make a decision as investigator, as an agency, to issue a press release regarding a missing person, it's because we have reason to be worried for that person's safety and we know that the media and the public will pay attention."

According to Paquet, police in this province solve a lot of missing persons files based on tips from the public. In fact, he says probably fifty per cent of the time, they will receive information on that person within a few hours of issuing a release. Sometimes that information comes directly from the missing person.

Meanwhile, Paquet says it is every parent's worst nightmare that a child of theirs goes missing. He notes probably the best thing you can do today to assist with the investigation, should that nightmare ever come true, is to have a current photograph of your child readily available. And Paquet says make sure there are no obstructions in the way, such as a birthday cake filled with candles that your child is blowing out.

"Hope and pray that you will never have to use it," says Paquet. "But if there is ever a case where one is needed, it's something that will be asked and essential from the onset of any missing person investigation."