Reporting Digital Crime

What to Expect from the Police

 

We are often asked in our presentations what to expect when reporting a cybercrime to the police. Given that Darren recently retired from a modern mid-sized law enforcement agency here in Canada, we believe we can offer quality, experience-based insight.

 

When you first call the police to report a cybercrime, you will most likely speak with a civilian complaint taker (CT). Their role is to screen the call and determine whether it meets the threshold for dispatching a uniformed officer. While most CTs are well-trained, they generally do not possess the same level of legal knowledge as sworn officers. As a result, they may not be fully informed about the current case law surrounding cybercrime.

 

If the CT tells you that your complaint does not warrant dispatching an officer, calmly disagree and ask to speak with their supervisor. The supervisor may also be a civilian, though in some cases, it could be a police officer, so ask when your call is transferred. If, after speaking with the supervisor, you’re still told that an officer will not be dispatched, thank them, hang up, and call the non-emergency number again, this time asking for the Watch Commander. The Watch Commander is typically a ranking officer overseeing front-line operations. Clearly explain why you’re now speaking with them. In some cases, the Watch Commander may override the CT’s decision and send a patrol unit. In other cases, they may agree that the complaint does not meet their dispatch criteria.

 

Case Study

 

We assisted a family who was trying to help a teen from another country who was experiencing severe suicidal ideation and expressed this to their son via private messages on Instagram. When the parents contacted their local police department, the civilian complaint taker told them that nothing could be done because the incident involved the internet and the teen lived outside of Canadian jurisdiction.

 

We stepped in, located the teen online, and contacted the appropriate law enforcement agency in the other country. That police department responded and arrived just in time, the teen was in the process of attempting suicide.

 

The next day, we contacted the original Canadian police agency to report the CT’s refusal to generate a call for service. As a result, the agency updated its training for all complaint takers, emphasizing that officers can in fact generate an “assist outside police agency” file. An apology was issued to the family by the detachment commander.

 

Once a police officer has been assigned and dispatched to your call, it's important to know that depending on call volume and priority levels, response time may be delayed. While the issue may be urgent to you, cybercrime is typically categorized as a lower-priority call unless there's an imminent threat to life.

 

While Waiting for Police to Arrive:

 

• Do not tell the suspect that you are contacting the police.

 

• Do not delete anything.

 

• If you know how, take screen captures of everything—especially if the suspect has the ability to delete content from their end.

 

• If you're unsure how to screen capture, do not touch your device. Let the police handle it.

 

• Begin writing a detailed written statement about everything that occurred. Include printed screenshots if possible, and provide these to the attending officer.

 

 

Before the officer arrives, it’s important to be realistic. In many cases, an officer’s familiarity with cybercrime will depend on their age and experience. Younger officers often have more lived experience with digital platforms and may be more comfortable with these types of investigations.

 

While some large police departments have dedicated Cybercrime Units, many smaller or mid-sized agencies are still catching up when it comes to digital crime training. Fortunately, each province in Canada has Integrated Child Exploitation (ICE) Units, which specialize in online child exploitation. Some junior officers may be unaware of these resources, so politely mentioning them can be helpful.

 

Once on scene, the officer will begin gathering the who, what, where, when, how, and why of your complaint. If they determine that a Criminal Code offence has likely occurred, they’ll assess whether there was intent behind the act. If intent is established, a formal investigation will follow. This may include a written, audio, or video-recorded statement from you.

 

Before the officer leaves, make sure to get their name, badge number, rank, and the case number. You’ll need this information if you wish to follow up.

 

Why Digital Investigations Take Time

 

Unlike on TV shows like Cyber CSI, where crimes are solved in an hour, real-life investigations can take weeks, months, or even years. One of the biggest challenges in cybercrime cases is proving that the accused was the person who actually pressed “send.” This is especially difficult if the suspect lives outside of Canada. In such cases, police often need to go through the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to obtain international evidence, a process that can be slow and complicated.

 

Depending on the nature of the crime, police may also seize your device (e.g., phone, laptop) to conduct a forensic digital examination, which can produce court-admissible evidence. Be aware that this process may result in you being without your device for a significant period.

 

The seriousness of the cybercrime and available resources will often determine how much time and energy is devoted to your case. That said, don’t be afraid to advocate for your file—as the saying goes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

 

In some cases, the responding officer may initially say there's nothing they can do, especially if the suspect appears to be anonymous or outside of Canadian jurisdiction. While this may seem like a dead end, a thorough investigation can sometimes uncover identities through digital footprints.

 

If you feel your complaint is being dismissed unfairly, don’t hesitate to respectfully push back. If the situation remains unresolved, wait until the officer has left, then contact the Watch Commander to escalate your concerns.

 

Parenting Tip:

 

The Criminal Code of Canada does allow for individuals in other countries to be charged with a crime committed against someone in Canada. However, unless the case is extremely serious, extradition is rare. That said, if foreign police are contacted, they may pursue charges in their own jurisdiction, this is often the case with Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) investigations.

 

Possible Outcomes After the Investigation:

 

• Verbal Warning

 

• Restorative Justice (RJ)

 

• Formal Court Charges

 

While verbal warnings and court are straightforward, Restorative Justice is increasingly used in lower-level cybercrime cases. RJ does not result in a criminal record but can have powerful, positive outcomes for all parties involved.

 

Final Thoughts

 

This guide offers a foundational understanding of what to expect when reporting a cybercrime. While it doesn't cover every possible outcome or detail of police procedure, it’s designed to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to advocate for yourself or your child effectively.

 

Be your own best advocate, especially when the officer attending may know less about the internet than you, your teen, or even your preteen.