Progress in Missing Report Recommendations

Of the 151 recommendations outlined in the Missing and Missed Report from the Independent Civilian Review into Missing Person Investigations, 89 have been implemented so far.

“This is tangible and meaningful progress,” said Chief Myron Demkiw at an event marking the fourth anniversary of the release of Missing and Missed - Report of The Independent Civilian Review into Missing Person Investigations.

Through the collaborative development and design with the Missing and Missed Implementation Team (MMIT) and community representatives, the Toronto Police Service acknowledges and values this partnership, which has significantly influenced organizational changes in handling missing person cases.

“The MMIT co-designed, co-developed and co-delivered new processes that ensure these recommendations are implemented and sustained,” said Demkiw. “Today, I want to express my gratitude for our community representatives who have challenged us and held us accountable, our partners who believe that true change is possible and our Service members who have worked tirelessly to push this forward. I thank you for your time, your commitment and your trust.”

Since the release of the Missing and Missed Report in 2021, the Homicide & Missing Persons Unit has increased the number of resources dedicated to missing person investigations.

As well, new positions were added to expand the unit’s operational capacity, including crime analyst and missing person coordinator roles.

“Everyone here has a significant role in helping us improve our investigative processes, enhance our culture and rebuild trust in our 2SLGTQ+ communities,” added Demkiw. “The report was only the beginning of an incredible transformation of our procedures, process, practices and organizational culture. Real change does not happen in reports. It happens in the work, in the difficult conversations and in the hearts and minds of those who lead this important work.”

Seven years ago, the Toronto Police Service Board (TPSB) approved the terms of reference for the review and appointed former Ontario Court of Appeal Judge Gloria Epstein to lead it.

“It sure has taken longer than I would have expected,” she said. “We tried to tighten the timeline, but I realized how unrealistic that was. It is better to do it right than do it fast.”

TPSB Vice-Chair Chris Brillinger said the Missing and Missed Report was revolutionary in many ways.

“It provides recommendations spanning policies, procedures, training, education, professional development, community engagement, governance and most important of all, culture,” he noted. “From the very start, both the Board and the Service have embraced the report, recognizing that even when the message was difficult to hear, it was essential to listen and reflect before taking action.

“Missing and Missed is important not only for what it teaches us as to how we handle missing persons investigations, but for what it says to us about how to reshape our approach to working with communities and how we look to reset our approach to community engagement. This includes naming, confronting and addressing systemic discrimination in all its forms.”

MMIT Community Co-Chair Haran Vijayanathan was the Executive Director of the Alliance for South Asians Aids Prevention when news broke that a serial killer was violating members of the community he belongs to.

“Through the openness of TPS to teach us of how the system actually functions and the rules along with the desire of community members to learn and understand so that we can make informed contributions, we are where we are,” he said. “While we all have different thought processes and ways of doing things, we kept in mind the shared values and goals that brought us together to this table and the primary goal being systems change. We all know that systems change cannot occur if those at the top do not believe in it.”

Jenniffer Quintero Arias is the Missing and Missed Project Team Project Lead for the Service.

“Today marks an important milestone, not just in acknowledging the work done over the past four years since the release of the report, but in recognizing the dedication of our community representatives,” she said. “Some of you have been with us from the very beginning, over seven years ago, while others have joined more recently. Regardless of when you joined, your contributions have been invaluable in shaping this work. The work of the Missing and Missed Project is not just important – it is deeply meaningful. It represents a commitment to accountability, systemic change and most importantly to the people and communities most affected.”

Learn more about the Missing and Missed Implementation.