What’s Included (and What Isn’t) in a Police Check in Ottawa

Remember Celine Dion’s 2002 hit, “Rain, Tax (It’s Inevitable)”? She should have included criminal record checks as one of those inevitabilities. This process is pervasive in many aspects of Canadian life.

A criminal record check is a major part of the background check organizations conduct on prospective candidates for employment, volunteering, and business contracting. A police record search seeks to uncover whether the candidate has any criminal convictions to their name.

If you live in Ottawa and you’d like to discover what the police record search or background check can reveal about you — look no further. We’ll let you know what to expect (and what not to expect) from the police records search.

Criminal Record Check Types in Ottawa

The local police in Ottawa conduct three types of criminal or police record searches:

• Criminal record check
• Criminal record and judicial matters check
• Vulnerable sector check

Getting a Police Check in Ottawa

The Ontario Police Record Check Reform Act regulates criminal record checks in Ottawa. The 2015 legislation is unique among the various provinces and territories in Canada.

The act states that an individual must consent to police record checks in writing. It also requires that police services send you the results of the background check before any other third party that you’ve given consent to. Police record checks in Ottawa can only reach as far back as five years, according to the act.

The first step in accessing your police records is applying physically or online. You can get the form from the Ottawa police service or you can use an accredited private investigation company.

One company you can turn to for help with your criminal record check is Instant Record Check. We have experienced investigators who conduct background checks or background screening of all forms within Canada. The process of obtaining the results of a police record check takes  as little as fifteen minutes.

You must return the application form with two pieces of government-issued identification documents and proof of residence in Ottawa to the police service or the criminal record check service company.

If you’re undergoing a vulnerable sector check, you need an official letter from the organization.

Your results will be ready within two days for online submission. A physical submission could take 7-10 business days. Either way, you’ll get a police clearance letter either stating your past criminal convictions or lack thereof.

Information Available in Police Checks in Ottawa

The information included in a criminal record check depends on the type of search being conducted. The three investigations carry different circumstances for their usage.

We’ll look at what information is and is not obtainable under each of the record checks.

Criminal Record Checks

This search occurs during a job or volunteer application process. Immigrants into Canada and self-employed individuals or business people bidding for contracts undergo this police records search.

The employment or volunteer organization must provide an official letter about this procedure to the applicants. Some record checks require the use of fingerprints for identity purposes. These checks are also called certified criminal record checks and are taken to confirm the identity of the applicant is in the records or not.

Results obtainable under this search include:

• Convictions from the Ottawa police service database or the Canada Police Information Centre (CPIC)
• Convictions that occurred when the applicant was under 18 years of age

The search results do not include:

• Pardoned convictions
• Absolute and conditional discharges
• Outstanding charges and warrants
• A vulnerable sector query for information about the applicant’s possible involvement in sexual offences
• Court orders
• Incidents involving mental health disorders
• Dismissed and withdrawn charges for criminal offences

Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Checks

Employment and volunteer applicants also go through this search. It investigates convictions and judicial records obtainable from the Ottawa police database and other relevant databases.

The search results under this record check include:

• Convictions from the Ottawa police service database or the CPIS
• Convictions that occurred when the applicant was under 18 years of age
• Outstanding charges, warrants, judicial orders, peace bonds, probation, and prohibition orders
• Absolute (for one year) and conditional discharges (for three years)

Information not released as a result of this search includes:

• Criminal record suspensions
• A vulnerable sector query for information about the applicant’s possible involvement in sexual offences
• Incidents involving mental health disorders
• Withdrawn and dismissed charges for criminal offences

Vulnerable Sector Check

Applicants for a career or volunteer opportunities working with the vulnerable sector are involved in this investigation. These positions usually involve authority or trust. They also deal with members of vulnerable populations, including children, elderly people, and people with disabilities.

Only the Ottawa police service can conduct this procedure. People under 18 years of age cannot undergo this investigation in Canada.

This police record search will reveal the following information:

• Convictions from the Ottawa police service database or the CPIS
• Convictions that occurred when the applicant was under 18 years of age
• Outstanding warrants, charges, judicial orders, peace bonds, probation, and prohibition orders
• Absolute (for one year) and conditional discharges (for three years)
• Criminal record suspensions, including those for sexual offences
• Incidents involving mental health disorders
• Withdrawn and dismissed charges for criminal offences

Call Instant Record Check Today

Now that you know what information will be released about you in a criminal record check in Ottawa get it done with Instant Record Check today. Their experience in this area will ensure you have no difficulties in getting your results.

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