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1. How do I obtain a Police Information Check?
1. Submit your application online.
The Police Information Check Section has launched a new online application tool for citizens who require a police check. Complete your application here.
2. In person at the Police Information Check Section Location
For people who are not able to apply online, the Police Information Check Section is
currently offering a “Pay & Go” service where applicants will make the
payment and can expect their certificate in the mail.
Applicants that require their results sooner are encouraged to apply online.
3. Out of Town/Country Submission: Please see FAQ #7.
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2. What do the results of my Police Information Check certificate mean?
A Police Information Check will result in either a, “No Information to Disclose Certificate” or an “Information to Disclose Certificate”. Please see below for a detailed explanation of each type of Police Information Check Certificate.
- “No Information to Disclose Certificate” will be issued when the applicant does not have any criminal convictions, relevant provincial statute convictions, outstanding criminal or relevant provincial statute charges or local police records representing a pattern of behaviour that may result in harm to vulnerable persons. These results are only shared with the requesting organization if the applicant has signed a “Third Party Consent Form”.
- “Information to Disclose Certificate” will be issued when criminal convictions, relevant provincial statute convictions, outstanding criminal or relevant provincial statute charges or local police records representing a pattern of behaviour that may result in harm to vulnerable persons exists. These results will only be released to the applicant and will never be shared with a third party. Please be advised that the results of any local police records (Vulnerable Sector Police Information Checks only) not resulting in the laying of criminal charges will be clearly articulated.
The Edmonton Police Service recommends that the age and relevancy of the information to the position being sought be taken into careful consideration in determining the suitability of any applicant.
If additional information is required regarding any disclosure contained in a Police Information Check certificate, an applicant can make a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPP) request to the Edmonton Police Service if the information is in relation to an Edmonton Police Service occurrence. FOIPP request information.
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3. What information is disclosed in a Police Information Check?
A Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check will contain the following disclosures:
- A list of all criminal convictions obtained from the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC).
- A list of all pending court appearances for both criminal and relevant provincial statute offences, criminal convictions not recorded on a criminal record, relevant provincial statute convictions in addition to any court imposed orders. This information is obtained from the Province of Alberta’s justice database known as the Justice Online Information Network (JOIN).
- A list of non-conviction locally held police records demonstrating a pattern of behaviour that may result in harm to vulnerable persons.
Under no circumstances will the Edmonton Police Service disclose information mental health related occurrences unless such occurrences involve violence or a threat of violence to persons other than themselves. Such occurrences will only be disclosed in the interests of public safety.
A Police Information Check not requiring a Vulnerable Sector check will contain the following disclosures:
- A list of all criminal convictions obtained from the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC).
- A list of all pending court appearances for both criminal and relevant provincial statute offences, criminal convictions not recorded on a criminal record, relevant provincial statute convictions in addition to any court imposed orders. This information is obtained from the Province of Alberta’s justice database known as the Justice Online Information Network (JOIN).
Download the Alberta Police Information Check Disclosure Procedures here.
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4. What is the difference between a Police Information Check and a Criminal Record Check?
A Criminal Record Check obtained from a private third party provider will only indicate the existence of a criminal record. A Criminal Record Check alone will also not contain information relating to any upcoming court appearances or relevant provincial statute convictions.
Note: Private third party criminal record check providers cannot conduct a Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check.
The Edmonton Police Service is not affiliated with any third party company offering criminal background checks.
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5. What is a Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check? Do I need one?
A Vulnerable Sector Check is completed when
required by the Requesting Agency because you will be responsible for the
well-being of children, the elderly, people with disabilities or other
vulnerable populations. It is the Police Service that verifies that the
position meets the requirements for a Vulnerable Sector Check.
A Vulnerable
Sector Check is required when you will be in a position of trust or authority
of vulnerable persons including children, the elderly and people with
disabilities. A Vulnerable Sector Check involves a search of the automated
criminal records (pardoned sex offender) retrieval system maintained by the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to identify the existence of sex offences
for which a record suspension or pardon exists.
A Vulnerable Sector Check also
includes a search of local police records to determine if any patterns of
behavior exist that may result in harm to a vulnerable person.
The Edmonton Police Service can only provide Vulnerable Sector Police Information Checks for approved jurisdictions.
If an applicant resides outside of approved jurisdictions, they must obtain a Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check from their local RCMP detachment.
Vulnerable Sector Police Information Checks can only be completed for positions within Canada.
Please be advised that a Police Information Check requiring a Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check can only be provided by a police service.
Applicants requiring a Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check may be required to be fingerprinted if they have a similar surname or is of the same gender and approximately the same age as a pardoned sex offender. An applicant receiving a letter indicating that fingerprinting is required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check simply means that fingerprints are required to positively confirm that the applicant is not a pardoned sex offender. This process is required to ensure that vulnerable persons are never placed at risk by those responsible for their well-being.
Proof of residency is required for applicants requiring a Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check. Documentation must be provided showing that the applicant resides in Edmonton or one of the RCMP jurisdictions listed above. This can be a current driver’s licence or a recent utility, electricity, gas or telephone bill, bank statement, property rental agreement, insurance policy documents (life, auto, residential, etc.). These documents must be dated within the last 90 days.
Understanding a Vulnerable Sector Check
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6. Are you an employer, volunteer organization or post-secondary institution requiring Police Information Checks?
The Police Information Check Unit is pleased to offer an Online Submission tool. This tool allows organizations to acquire vouchers (via credit card payment or VSPN) to provide to their applicants. Applicants are then responsible for submitting their application online and providing the organization with their certificate once received.
The Edmonton Police Service recommends the Police Information Checks not be used as an initial pre-screening tool but should be requested at the final stage of the employee or volunteer selection process, preferably after an offer of employment/volunteer position has been made. While a Police Information Check is a valuable screening tool, suitability for any position should not be based entirely on the results of a Police Information Check. Factors such a relevancy, age and seriousness of the disclosed occurrences should be taken into consideration prior to determining the suitability of any applicant.
For more information or to request your organization be set up please e-mail security.clearance@edmontonpolice.ca
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7. Do you live outside of Edmonton and require a Police Information Check?
You may obtain a Police
Information Check not requiring a Vulnerable Sector Police
Information Check from the Edmonton Police Service regardless of where you
reside.
If you reside outside
of Edmonton or any of the following RCMP jurisdictions; Beaumont, St. Albert,
Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain and
Morinville and require a Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check,
you must obtain this from your local police service. Please note that
Vulnerable Sector Police Information Checks can only be completed for positions
within Canada.
The Police Information
Check Section has launched a new online application tool for citizens who
require a police check. Complete your application here.
If you currently reside outside of Canada and your identity was unable to
be verified through an online application, please:
How to apply:
- Complete the hardcopy Police Information Check application ensuring that all spaces are completed or a line is drawn through those not applicable. Grey sections of the application are not to be completed.
- Attend a local police station, Notary Public, or Canadian Consulate with2 pieces of government issued identification and photocopies of the same identification. The photocopies must then be signed, sealed, and verified by proper personnel. The seal must be clearly visible and this officer must also witness your consenting signature on the application form.
- Enclose a certified cheque or money order for $76 made payable to the ‘City of Edmonton’. If additional Police Information Checks are required, please enclose an additional $76 for each application. Please do not send cash.
- If you have been fingerprinted in Canada for a criminal conviction for which you have not received a record suspension (pardon), you must include an original set of fingerprints obtainable from your local law enforcement agency.
- Mail or courier the original application form with endorsed photocopies of identification, payment, and fingerprints (if applicable) to the following address:
Edmonton Police Service
ATTN: Police Information Check Section
9620 – 103A Avenue
Edmonton, AB, Canada T5H 0H7
Note: If you wish to have your results sent to you by courier, please enclose a pre-paid courier envelope.
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8. Do I need to obtain a new Police Information Check each time that one is required?
Since the information contained on dated Police Information Checks may no longer be valid, the Edmonton Police Service recommends that dated Police Information Checks in addition to those used for other purposes not be accepted. A Police Information Check is no longer valid after its issued date.
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9. How Can I Verify If a Certificate Is Authentic?
An original Police Information Check certificate can be identified in the following ways:
Electronic certificates can be verified by the watermark on the certificate or by contacting the applicant to provide an email with the website, document number and PIN.
Hardcopy Certificate: Verified by the Edmonton Police Service watermark on the certificate.
Please contact the Edmonton Police Service if you have any concerns regarding the authenticity of a Police Information Check certificate.
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