Recent changes by Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have increased the time required to complete a Police Records Checks for individuals who are involved or hope to be involved in service with the Vulnerable Sector (VS).  These checks are typically required for coaches involved in minor sports, day care providers, hospital staff, those involved in teaching, etc. Applicants requiring this type of background check are now scrutinized through a more rigorous screening process, which will result in more applicants being identified as a potential match and delays in receiving their records check. Therefore, applicants should ensure they allow ample time to process request should this situation arise.

Applicants who are impacted will receive a phone call from the police service explaining the steps that must be followed for their VS check to be completed.  They will be required to make an appointment to have their fingerprints taken. Fingerprints will then be submitted to the RCMP to confirm or refute the potential match.  It should be noted that a potential match can result from a person having the same sex and date of birth as a known offender but in nearly all cases will be ruled out by a fingerprint comparison. 

 
For more information please visit the RCMP web-site | e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |call 613-998-6362.  

Records Checks
To assist you in understanding the timelines associated to certain types of information you will find on records checks, included herein is an explanation of what a summary conviction offence, an indictable offence and a negative police contact are.

Summary Conviction Offence (Searched November 17, 2005 to the “Date Completed” on the Records Check)
A summary conviction criminal offence, quite simply is an offence that is deemed to be a minor or lesser offence in nature. Some examples of common summary conviction offences include causing a disturbance in public, failing to pay a cab fare, soliciting the services of a prostitute, or taking a car for a “joy ride” without the owner’s consent. Summary conviction offences carry a lesser punishment than indictable offences, such as a fine not exceeding $2000.00. These are the types of offences that will not be included in a records check if they occurred prior to November 17, 2005.       

Indictable Offence (Lifetime)
An indictable offence is a more serious offence. It includes all criminal offences that are not summary conviction.  All records checks consist of all indictable offence convictions.

Negative Police Contact (Searched November 17, 2005 to the “Date Completed” on the Records Check)
Local police contact information is released in a Vulnerable Sector Check. This information includes any contact of a negative nature with the police where the applicant was not convicted of a criminal offence. Examples of incidents that could, depending upon the circumstances, be considered negative contact include; incidents where the person was arrested and released without being charged, warned for a criminal offence, suspected of a criminal offence, apprehended under the Mental Health Act, charged for trespassing or being intoxicated in a public place, directly involved in a domestic dispute or other dispute, or has threatened to do harm to themselves. This information will only be included in a Vulnerable Sector Check if it occurred since November 17, 2005.

Records Checks for Service with the Vulnerable Sector

What is it? The Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector is a search of national and local police databases. The possible existence of all police contacts for the previous five years, criminal convictions and outstanding charges will be considered for release. This search is intended for individuals seeking employment and/or a volunteer position with children or vulnerable person(s).

 
Information for Release The following information contained in police databases may be considered for release when it is deemed appropriate:

    * Suspect information, where the release of such will not hinder any ongoing investigation.
    * Reports resulting from the application of the Mental Health Act.
    * Subject information in regards to attempted suicide.
    * Any other information deemed relevant.

This search does not cover the following areas: Provincial offences (with the exception of Trespass and Intoxication in Public) and pardons (with the exception of sexual offences listed in the schedule to the Criminal Records Act). The information contained on the certificate is accurate on the date issued.

Please refer to Records Check-Information Reported for further information

Can I apply? You must live in the Region of Waterloo or your employer, volunteer agency or education provider must be located in the Region and be an approved agency.

We will also provide this records check if you live in the Region and your employer, volunteer agency or education provider is located out of the Region.

How much? $10.00 for volunteers from an approved Region of Waterloo agency.

$25.00 for non-volunteers (employment, training or education purposes).

How Long? Police Records Checks are processed in approximately three weeks, assuming timely response from other police services and depending on the volume of requests. It will take longer if the R.C.M.P. requests confirmation of identity through fingerprints.

Where to apply? You can apply at any of our locations. Get details for locations.

Acceptable identification is required. Get details