Register a Vulnerable Person | Peterborough Police Service

PLEASE NOTE: Our Police Service is located in Ontario, Canada.

We offer this Vulnerable Person Registry for families and caregivers of vulnerable persons. The information provided is entered into a database that will be used by police and other emergency services during a crisis situation.

You can register a vulnerable person in two ways:

Using the online form below.
By attending the station in person.

In either case, you will be asked for information or identification to demonstrate your relationship to the vulnerable person. This is to ensure the integrity of the report.

In the event of an emergency, responding officers will have immediate access to this information, improving police understanding and response.

Who is considered a Vulnerable Person?

A Vulnerable Person is defined as a person who due to a medical, mental health, or physical condition may exhibit patterns of behaviour that may pose a danger to themself. This may include:

A tendency to wander
The inability to communicate
Fascinations or attractions (water, construction sites etc.)
Social responses (fear of strangers, aggression)

Examples include (but are not limited to) individuals with Alzheimer’s, Autism Spectrum Disorder or an acquired brain injury.

Requirements to be added to the Vulnerable Person Registry

The following conditions must be met in order to add someone to the database.

The Vulnerable Person must reside within the jurisdiction of the Peterborough Police. (The family or caregiver who registers the person need not reside within the jurisdiction)
Confirmation of identity and authenticity of the person submitting the information

What information is required for the Vulnerable Person Registry

The following information is entered in the database:

Name
Date of birth
Physical descriptors
Contact information for family and caregivers
Special needs
Methods of approach
Objects of attraction
A photo of the persons face.
Please note that the photo must be in JPEG (.jpg) format.

Vulnerable Persons Registry FAQs

How will this information help if a person goes missing?

If the individual goes missing, information about his/her physical appearance, the most likely places where he/she would go to, as well as de-escalation techniques will be provided to every police officer in the area to look for the missing person.

How often do I have to re-submit to the Vulnerable Person Registry?

Yearly. It is the sole responsibility of the family/caregiver to re-submit the form on an annual basis. It is recommended that you renew the registration during the month of the registrant’s birthday.

If I don’t live in Peterborough can I still use the Vulnerable Person Registry?

Yes, as long as the vulnerable person is living in the jurisdiction of the Peterborough Police - which includes the City of Peterborough, the Village of Lakefield, and the Township of Cavan-Monaghan.

Can I update my profile more than every year if there are changes? How do I do that?

You may, however, only information that has a significant impact on policing response will be necessary. Examples include a change in address or emergency contact. You do not need to report a change in hair cut or colour, for example, as the police are familiar with the changes that can be made and are more likely to notice height, weight and eye colour.

Any updates to the form can be sent to poli_vp@peterborough.ca

How soon will the information be available to police?

The registration form will be entered into a number of policing systems in order to capture all relevant information. It is intended that this process will be quick but it may take up to 24 hours to be fully processed. You will receive a confirmation with a “Report Number” for your future reference for updates, renewals, calls for service, etc.

Will I need to quote the Report Number if I call the police?

No, during high stress situations, there is no expectation that you remember the report number. However, you should indicate that the individual is listed on the vulnerable person registry.

Who has access to the Vulnerable Person Registry?

Peterborough Police personnel who require this information in the performance of their duties will have access to the information. There are strict regulations with respect to accessing and disseminating information. There is a Police Information Portal (P.I.P.) that is shared by all police agencies. The consent of the individual involved, or their parent/guardian, is required before any information is shared among police agencies.

During an emergency situation, police may share this information with other emergency services such as fire or ambulance.

REGISTER A VULNERABLE PERSON ONLINE