Building on the launch of *TPS (*8-7-7), Toronto Police Communications Services has updated the non-emergency phone tree to help people get the right help, faster.

The updated menu now includes a dedicated option that allows callers to:

• Report a person missing through the non-emergency phone tree
• Provide updates on a person who has already been reported missing

These changes respond directly to recommendations from the Missing and Missed Report, which called for service improvements on how missing persons are reported and managed.

Early results show the new option is being actively used. In December 2025, 1,818 calls related to missing persons were successfully routed through the phone tree helping callers reach the appropriate pathway quickly and without unnecessary delays.

By providing a clear and direct option for missing persons, the updated menu improves public access, guides callers to the right place, and helps ensure timely information reaches the appropriate teams. This allows Communications Services to focus resources where they are needed most, while supporting faster and more consistent responses to missing persons reports.

“Ensuring clear and accessible pathways when someone is missing is vital for our communities. The updated non‑emergency phone treeoffers a more straightforward and responsive route for reporting or providing updates, helping to relieve some of the stress and confusion people experience during incredibly difficult moments. These improvements reflect a real commitment to listening to community voices and strengthening the systems that support families and community members when someone goes missing.”

– Natalie Sitt, MMIT Community Representative

“This initiative reflects a strong collaboration between Toronto Police Communications Services and the Homicide and Missing Persons Unit, underscoring our shared commitment to improving the reporting process from the moment a call for a missing person is placed. We are proud of the work behind these enhancements, which enable the public to provide critical information more quickly and effectively. In missing persons cases, every second counts, and these improvements help ensure that no valuable time is lost”

– Superintendent Greg Watts