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Detective Constable - Missing Persons Team

 

Job Details

Surrey Police Service (SPS) is Surrey’s new municipal police agency. On November 29, 2024, SPS became the police of jurisdiction, and assumed responsibility and command for policing and law enforcement in Surrey. SPS is working to redefine policing with innovative new approaches and community-based solutions. It’s an exciting time as SPS continues to expand our team with talented people who want to help shape the future of policing in Surrey. To date we have hired over 615 police officers and 500 civilian support staff. As we continue to hire exceptional individuals, SPS will grow to be one of the largest independent police services in Canada. Since day one, SPS has been intentional about building a culture that is inclusive, respectful and supportive, with a strong focus on employee wellness and career development.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Sergeant, Missing Persons Team (MPT), the Detective Constable assigned to the Missing Persons Team is responsible for conducting investigations into medium to high-risk missing person cases, including those that are historical and complex in nature. This role involves assessing risk, coordinating with frontline officers, and managing investigative strategies aligned with Major Case Management princilples.

The Detective Constable works collaboratively with community partners, government agencies, and other law enforcement bodies to locate missing individuals and resolve cases with sensitivity and thoroughness. This position requires expertise in applying trauma-informed investigative approaches, ensuring adherence to legal standards, and preparing comprehensive investigative reports to support case resolution and judicial processes.

Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities:

        Leads and supports missing persons investigations through evidence collection, victim and family liaison, and detailed Occurrence Report documentation.

        Prepares and submits complete and accurate documentation, evidence, and reports to support court processes and Crown Counsel requirements, including follow-up and corroborative evidence.

        Coordinates the collection of physical evidence in collaboration with Forensic Identification Services and other specialized investigative teams.

        Conducts interviews with relevant parties including family members, friends, witnesses, and other individuals connected to missing persons cases.

        Manages assigned investigative files, ensuring timely documentation, adherence to investigative standards, and application of the Major Case Management model where appropriate.

        Locates and supports individuals connected to investigations, including those who may require witness protection measures or victim support, and facilitates referrals to Victim Services as needed.

        Prepares and obtains judicial authorizations, including search warrants, production orders, and demand orders under the BC Missing Persons Act.

        Applies current investigative techniques and evidence gathering methods, including technology-based tools such as surveillance, digital forensics, and data analysis.

        Secures and preserves investigative scenes related to missing person cases, ensuring proper application of policy and an understanding of available forensic resources.

        Reviews sudden death and unidentified human remains (UHR) investigations, providing investigative guidance when required to assist in the verification of identity, locating next of kin, and ensure linkages to any outstanding missing persons cases are made.

        Act as a central liaison for the Coroner Service and when necessary, assume the role of primary point of contact for families or next of kin for sudden death or UHR investigations that become prolonged or require additional resources.

        Actively contributes to team effectiveness by sharing insights, maintaining open communication, and supporting collective decision-making and problem-solving.

        Builds and maintains strong working relationships with internal SPS units, external agencies, community partners, and other stakeholders to support investigations.

        Works within the designated shift schedule, including participation in after-hours consultation or on-call rotations, based on operational requirements.

Qualifications

Mandatory Training Requirements

·         CPKN Introduction to Disclosure*

·         CPKN Introduction to Major Case Management*


Preferred Training Requirements

·         PLCE 1207 | Forensic Interviewing *

·         PLCE 1210 | General Investigative Skills*

·         PLCE 1211 | Major Crimes Investigations*

·         PLCE 1212 | Search and Seizure*

*Includes Higher Level and/or Equivalent Training Course

 

Mandatory Job Experience Requirements

·         Experience conducting investigations across a range of offences.

·         Experience conducting Missing Person investigations.

Preferred Job Experience Requirements

 

·         Experience in the above noted “Duties and Responsibilities”.

·         Previous experience in a plain-clothes investigative unit.

·         Experience managing routine or moderate complexity crime scenes.

·         Experience investigating complex investigations.

·         Experience conducting Suspect interviews.

·         Experience authoring Judicial Authorizations.

·         Experience testifying in Provincial and/or Supreme court.


Conditions of Employment

·         Successful applicants must obtain and maintain the required level of security clearance.

·         Successful applicants must provide proof of qualifications.

Please note:

Substantive Corporals who are hired as Constables with SPS will be paid at 115% of SPS’s First Class Constable rate, providing they have at least eight years of policing service. They may also apply for SPS’s Sergeant Promotion Process without participating in the Sergeant Qualification Process, providing they pass the SPS Sergeant Exam and apply for promotion within five years of joining SPS.

Our Values

Values of Honour, Integrity, Respect, Courage, Compassion, and Inclusiveness guide how we serve our residents, engage with our community, and work with each other to keep our community safe. These values are the foundation of our commitment to deliver excellence in policing services to Surrey's citizens