Did you know: if you’re looking for a babysitter, you can require the applicants to complete a Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check?

What is a Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check? Do I need one?

Individuals who have jobs, or volunteer where they are in positions of trust or authority over children or other vulnerable persons, may be required to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check. Children are defined as anyone under the age of 18. Other vulnerable persons are people who, because of their age, disability or other circumstance, are more vulnerable than others.  

A Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check consists of the following:

• A check of local police records to determine if a pattern of behaviour exists that may result in harm to vulnerable persons.
• A check to determine if the applicant has received a record suspension or pardon for sex offences.

The Edmonton Police Service can only provide Vulnerable Sector Police Information Checks for City of Edmonton residents, in addition to residents of the following RCMP jurisdictions: Beaumont, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, and Morinville. 

If an applicant resides outside of these 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.

Applicants requiring to be fingerprinted for a Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check for non-volunteer purposes are required to pay a $25 fee payable to the Receiver General for Canada. 

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.

Important: If an applicant has been fingerprinted by the EPS after July 31, 2010, and is not a pardoned sex offender, fingerprinting will not be required in the future, provided that the applicant's criminal history has not changed, or it has not been longer than 4 years since the date of their last Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check.

Understanding a Vulnerable Sector Check

Download the Police Information Check Application Form*