Online Police Check: When Do You Have to Go to the Police Station?

A 2020 report from the Professional Background Screening Association and HR.com showed that 94% of employers conducted at least one type of background screening. In Canada, over half of employers conduct criminal background checks as part of the hiring process. Fortunately, for most cases, an online police check is possible, so applicants won’t have to visit their local police station.

Vulnerable Sector Check

According to the RCMP, a vulnerable sector check is the most thorough background check available and requires a trip to a station. It covers criminal convictions, record suspensions, and “adverse information,” which can include interactions with police where charges were dropped, withdrawn, or dismissed. It may also contain incidents where the applicant was acting violently or dangerously, but charges were not laid for various reasons.

Vulnerable sector checks are for people looking to work or volunteer in positions of trust or authority over children or vulnerable persons. They are meant to protect these vulnerable individuals from physical, sexual, mental, and financial abuse.

However, there are strict requirements for conducting a vulnerable sector check on behalf of employers. If the position doesn’t meet the requirements as laid out in the Criminal Records Act, then it is an offence to conduct a vulnerable sector check. The detachment will refuse and will provide a letter of decision explaining why, which applicants can give their employer.

The nature of position determines the information revealed in a vulnerable sector check. For example, unless the position requires driving clients around, like a school bus driver, then the check would not show pardoned driving-related charges, like a DUI.

It is important to note that there is no federal legislation requiring organizations to conduct vulnerable sector checks. Applicants need to contact their provincial or territorial government for the necessary information.

Criminal Background Checks

If the position you are applying for doesn’t require a vulnerable sector check and just a regular criminal background check, then you can use a third party. However, if a name-based criminal record check does not confirm your identity, you may be asked to provide fingerprints.

Triton’s industry-leading online police check can make your record available to you within just fifteen minutes, as opposed to waiting times of up to two weeks if you go to a police station. And you won’t even have to leave the house!

We use secure and accurate information from an RCMP-accredited agency to provide you and your employers with the detailed information required. We’re also compliant with all security and privacy guidelines to ensure your rights and information are always protected.

For more information, call 1-855-790-7516 or visit our website.