Calgary 911 review finds procedural failures delayed Parker Wells search

An internal review by the City of Calgary has determined that 911 operators failed to follow established procedures during the disappearance of 11-year-old Parker Wells in July 2026. The review found that the initial call regarding the missing child, who was autistic and non-verbal, was not immediately escalated to a Priority 1 response.

While the first call was received at 10:53 a.m., a Priority 1 missing-person event was not created until 11:41 a.m., representing a delay of nearly 50 minutes. Officials stated this delay may have impacted the speed of police dispatch. Although a supervisor reviewed the initial call, they failed to reassess or escalate the situation despite information that should have triggered an emergency response.

Parker Wells was later found dead in a drain pipe under a city expressway; authorities noted that foul play was not suspected. In response to the findings, the City has taken disciplinary action and is implementing changes, including increased supervisor oversight, mandatory policy training, and enhanced decision-making briefings for staff.