Alberta reviewing Amber Alert rules after death of 11-year-old Parker Wells

Alberta is reviewing its emergency alert system and the criteria used to issue Amber Alerts following the death of 11-year-old Parker Wells.

The province announced Monday that Public Safety and Emergency Services will consult with police, disability advocates and community organizations about how authorities respond when vulnerable people go missing.

The review will include Alberta’s existing Amber Alert system and whether its current activation criteria should be changed.

The move follows the death of Wells, whose disappearance prompted a large-scale search in Calgary. The province says it wants to determine whether changes to emergency alert procedures could improve the response to similar missing-person cases.

“Parker’s death is a heartbreaking tragedy, and our thoughts remain with his family and everyone who knew and loved him,” Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said.

“We want to make sure we learn from what happened.”

A separate review will examine the organization responsible for Wells’ care when he disappeared.

Assisted Living and Social Services Minister Nathan Neudorf said his department will review the service provider’s policies, procedures and protocols and consider recommendations aimed at strengthening protections for vulnerable children.

The provincial reviews will take place alongside an operational and investigative review being conducted by the Calgary Police Service into the response to Wells’ disappearance.

Police emergency alerts in Alberta are issued through the Alberta Emergency Alert system when incidents meet established criteria.

Law enforcement agencies currently have access to Amber Alerts as well as civil emergency alerts. The system is governed through an agreement involving the provincial government, RCMP, municipal police departments and First Nations police services.

The government has not yet announced specific changes to the Amber Alert criteria, saying feedback from police, advocates and community organizations will be used to develop options for consideration.