| | Region in Ontario | Practice |
| | North | Police orders stipulate what can and cannot be released to the public. Guidelines exist for drafting releases. Draft release is sent up chain of command to be reviewed. Depending on how serious the event is, release needs to go to headquarters for approval before it can be released |
| | South West | Type of information through media release is dictated by each scenario. Officers are trained on what they can and cannot release. Will not release that the person has dementia unless this information plays a role in how to deal with the missing person |
| | South central | Will double-check the place last seen before sending a release. Goes through chain of demand. By the time the media release comes to media officer, it is immediate. Information is screened before it gets to the media officers. Social media alert includes photo, clothing worn when last seen, where they were last seen, other descriptive information like height, and hair color. This information is deleted after the person is located. After the person has been found, the public is updated |
| | Central | Do a search of the area. If not found, a picture of the person is obtained, age, last whereabouts, and other information. Social media releases do not say that missing person has dementia in order to respect individual’s privacy. Alert does state that the police is concerned for the missing individual’s wellbeing. From there, it goes to website, and is posted on Twitter and Facebook. Release can be posted in 10–15 minutes. At most, it has taken 30 minutes because family did not have a picture or were trying to look for a picture. Social media release is kept posted until person is found. After an extended period of time, police will post under missing persons page |
| | East | Gathers the information from on-site investigators (i.e., picture, description of person, direction of travel). Send to Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, but Twitter is more effective. Time to media release depends on urgency of the investigation; if there is medical danger, it is sent out immediately. Weather is also a factor. Picture release is important as it clarifies identity of missing person. Every case is individual. If there is imminent danger, and depending on points they have, it gives authority to pursue further |
| | Toronto | Information released is specific to individual incident. Approvals go through command and through investigation. If there is concern about criminality, then they need to involve Criminal Investigations Bureau. It is case specific but need to make sure the proper approvals are in place through the local area. Missing person must be verified by police officer. Call based on priority response which is influenced by weather and missing person’s medical conditions. Once person is confirmed missing, then corporate communications is informed, and the police will report back to their station. Media relations will send photo, and gain authorisation. Social media alert will include information on dementia with permission of the family, so it gains sympathy from the public |
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