How to Get a Police Check in Calgary

There’s a variety of reasons individuals may be required to obtain police information checks in Calgary, Alberta.

Most commonly, police checks are needed for pre-employment screening. An employer may request an assessment to evaluate the risk posed by prospective employees.

In particular, employers want to ensure safe environments for vulnerable or special needs populations. These can include the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities.

Here at Instant Record Check, we want to make sure you’re prepared. We’ve got all the information you need to know about police information checks in Calgary, AB.

What Is a Calgary Police Information Check

A Calgary Police Information Check (PIC) is also known as a:

• Security Clearance
• RCMP Background Check
• Police Clearance
• Criminal Check
• Name Check
• Background Check
• Vulnerable Sector Search

The findings are provided to the person requesting for the police clearance through a Calgary Police Service certificate letter.

Information disclosed includes:

• Canada-wide criminal record history
• Police history — local police information and Alberta provincial court records
• Vulnerable sector records
• Canadian criminal real-time identification, fingerprints application, fingerprints Canada post

An Easy Step by Step Guide on Getting a Police Check Online

Nowadays, there’s no need to go to a police information check unit. You can complete the check entirely online by going to ePIC — the electronic Police Information Check online system.

Step 1: The Checklist

The checklist page is the first thing you’ll see once you enter the ePIC.

Here, you can see all the information and documents you’ll need to apply successfully.

Make sure to carefully read through the checklist and get all the documents ready.

Note: Here you can opt for a self-declaration, which entails declaring your own offences. We’ll get into more detail on that below.

Step 2: Getting Started

This is where the ePIC begins to collect your information.

The questions include:

• Do you currently live in Calgary?
• How long have you lived in Calgary?
• Are you 18 or older?
• What are you applying for?

It’s important you provide accurate information.

Step 3: Agency Information

The agency is the company requesting the record checks. For example, it could be your potential employer.

This data is connected with the police information check application. This is because those performing the checks have to know:

• What agency they are dealing with
• Whether an agency requires a Vulnerable Sector Check.
• If the agency is paying for the check.

Step 4: Consent to Search

Here is where you review and agree to the terms and conditions. You must agree with each of the four checkboxes before you continue with the PIC application, so read them carefully.

Step 5: Create an Account

Use your email to create an account.

An account will allow you to:

• Return to your application in the future.
• Check on the status of your application submission.
• Review results.
• Share results with agencies available in the system.

Step 6: Supporting Documentation

This page collects your ID.

You must upload two valid ID forms. These can include:

• Permanent Residence Card
• Driver’s License
• Passport
• Refugee Protection Claimant Document
• Alberta Photo ID Card
• Firearms License
• Nexus Card
• Federally Issued Secure Certificate of Indian Status Card

Non-photo ID can include:

• Birth Certificate
• Citizenship Certificate
• Immigration Papers
• Provincial Health Care Card
• Marriage Certificate
• Citizenship Card

Step 7: Your Personal Information

Here you complete questions to verify your identity.

The verified information includes:

• First, middle and last names
• Date and place of birth

This information is passed on to Equifax eIDVerifier for verification; so once again, it’s crucial you provide accurate information.

Step 8: Verify Your Identity

The questions asked here are automatically populated as a result of Step 7.

Two events can happen:

• Your identity is verified and you can proceed to Step 9.
• Your identity is not verified and an error message appears. In this case, you have to exit the application and attend — in person — one of the Calgary Police Service detachments.

Step 9: Applicant Information

Here, you enter information including:

• Personal information
• Date and place of birth
• Telephone numbers
• Residing and mailing address (if different from the current residing address)

Step 10: Reason for Application

This page collects information on why you’re requesting a Police Information Check.

Step 11: Self-Declaration Form (Determant)

This page will only be shown if you have chosen to complete the Self-Declaration in Step 1. Otherwise, you can skip to Step 12.

In this step, you enter all Canada-wide offences you’ve committed.

Step 12: Summary of Payment

This page will only appear if you are required to pay for the PIC application; it serves as your invoice.

Step 13: Calgary Police Check Payment

You can pay for the police information check using:

• Visa
• MasterCard
• Amex
• Interac/Debit

You can expect to pay the following amounts:

• $55 — for immigration, employment, adoption
• $15 — for an unpaid practicum
• $15 — for volunteer positions, with the possession of a letter from the organization
• $0 — for volunteering positions with non-profit organizations

For more volunteer checks information, take a look at Police information checks for volunteers.

Short on time? Check out the ePIC Calgary Police Service applicant instruction video.

Or, call Instant Police Record Check and we’ll handle everything for you.

Police Information Check Unit

Here’s a list of police information check units where you can obtain your records in Calgary:

Types of Police Information Record Checks

Calgary Police Service provides five types of Police Checks: two private background checks and three Calgary Police Service checks.

Private Background Checks

These checks are only conducted by private fingerprint agencies.

You need to use an accredited fingerprint agency for the following two checks:

48-Hour Name Check

48-Hour Name Checks involve a search of the RCMP database. The police register the majority of convictions in this database. It is a criminal record background check.

Instead of searching the local criminal record database, police do a quick RCMP search. These checks are only based on the applicant’s birth date and name.

The results can be:

• No criminal record found.
• A criminal record is found. In this case, the individual has to submit fingerprints for the record to be verified.

This kind of police information check has certain risks for the employer if:

• The employee has not listed all of their names.
• The local police have made a mistake when entering the applicant information. This includes mistakes when registering or searching for a conviction.

As a result, one may have a criminal record, but the results from a criminal record check could be showing negative. Similarly, the 48-hour check will not show the types of convictions for which one has been pardoned. 

This type of search is not suitable in disclosing if there is a criminal record, it only shows the fact that there could be a criminal record that has not been verified using fingerprint services. The person in question may not have a criminal record. Instead, someone else with a similar date of birth or name may be having a criminal record. With this criminal record check, an employer could easily conclude that their employee has a criminal record. To prove one has a criminal record they have to be fingerprinted. Fingerprinting is the only reliable way to establish a criminal record or accessing a criminal record. For this reason, few companies would rely on 48-hour check screening.

Fingerprint Based Search

The applicant has their fingerprints taken electronically via a fingerprinting agency. Following, these are sent to the RCMP in Ottawa.

This search only reveals convictions shown in the RCMP database.

A fingerprint search is obligatory for individuals needing checks for these purposes:

• Waivers
• Immigration
• Record Suspensions
• Licensing

Note: Calgary Police doesn’t have fingerprinting services unless fingerprints are needed for a Vulnerable Sector Search. Instead, you’ll need to find a certified fingerprinting agency.

Calgary Police Service Checks

Calgary service can conduct three kinds of checks.

Local Police Check for Record Suspension

If you want to get a Record Suspension, two kinds of police information checks have to be done.

First, you have to complete a fingerprint-based search above.

Once you have obtained the RCMP Criminal Record check, submit it together with a Record Suspension Application form to the police.

The Calgary Police Service will complete a report, which can include:

• Pending charges
• Convictions not shown in the RCMP database
• Other police issues — speeding tickets, peace disturbances, etc.
• Charges that didn’t end in convictions

Criminal Check done by the Calgary Police

This is a new kind of check done by the Calgary police. Upon completion, they give a criminal record check printout to the applicant.

This report will show what’s on your criminal record. You’ll have to wait up to 10 days to get the report.

The search is also done based on your name and birth date, without any fingerprints needed.

Note: this police information check is not valid for:

• Waivers
• Immigration
• Record Suspension
• Licensing
• Majority of employment purposes

Vulnerable Sector Search

A Vulnerable Sector check is needed for applicants who will work with people in the vulnerable group — persons with disabilities, children, and the elderly.

A Vulnerable Sector Check searches the RCMP database and shows all convictions registered therein. This includes convictions in the vulnerable sector that were suspended or pardoned.

For this type of search, you’ll have to visit the Calgary Police Service.

Note: The police can decline to issue a clearance if the search shows you have charges in the vulnerable sector, even if they didn’t end up in convictions.

For more information, visit the CPS website.

In case you aren’t sure which Police information check is right for you, don’t hesitate to contact Instant Record Check. Our experts are ready to answer all of your questions.

Calgary Police Check Locations

You may not need to get your record check done in a physical location in Calgary. Contact Instant Record Check – we provide services that cover the entirety of Canada and would love to take care of your criminal record needs.

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