The Cit of Red Deer

Criminal Record Check

Welcome to The Criminal Record/Vulnerable Sector Check Online Application

The online application may be used to complete one of the following police checks:

Please read carefully to determine which police check you require.

Basic Criminal Record Check

  • A Name-Based Criminal Record Check or Basic Criminal Record Check will determine if a person has been charged or convicted of a crime.
  • Name-based criminal record checks are completed by checking the RCMP's Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) system. They consist of a check of the National Repository of Criminal Records based on a person's name and date of birth. It may also include searches of other national and local databases.

Vulnerable Sector Check includes Basic Criminal Record Check

  • A vulnerable sector check is a police information check plus a check to determine if the person has a received a record suspension (pardon) for a sexual offence(s).
  • People who volunteer or have jobs where they are in positions of trust or authority over children or vulnerable persons can be asked to obtain a vulnerable sector check.
  • Vulnerable sector checks must be conducted by the local Canadian police service where an applicant lives.
  • Includes Basic Criminal Record Check

Fees

Basic Criminal Record Check

Type Fee
Employment - Resident of Red Deer $65
Employment - Non-resident $90
Volunteer (see qualifications in FAQ’s section) $10

Vulnerable Sector Check

*Must be a resident of Red Deer

Type Fee
Employment $65
Volunteer (see qualifications in FAQ’s section) $10

Checks that are not available for online application:

Some Criminal Record Checks are not applicable for online application. They are:

  • Persons under the age of 18, as you must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
  • Certified Criminal Record Check (Fingerprint-Based Criminal Record Check). This is a fingerprint-based search of the RCMP's national repository of fingerprints and criminal record information. The results of the search will produce a document that includes criminal record information where the identity of the applicant has been verified by fingerprints.
  • Declaration of Criminal Records. This search will result in the RCMP detachment providing a list of all of the criminal convictions and related information that are included on the criminal record on CPIC. Application must be made in-person.

To apply in-person, please visit the Red Deer RCMP detachment at 4602 51 Avenue, Red Deer. Police checks are processed Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4:30 pm.

Fingerprinting

If fingerprints are required, please note they are taken on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays by appointment only. Please call 403-406-2309 to schedule a time.

Other Requirements

  • All Criminal Record Checks or Vulnerable Sector Check applications for volunteer positions must include a volunteer letter on the agency letterhead.
  • Two pieces of ID are required to pick up your application. One valid Government issued ID, including photo. The second piece of ID must contain name and date of birth.
  • If the address on your ID is not current, you will be requested to produce a document with your current address.

Once an applicant has submitted a request for a Basic Criminal Record Check or Vulnerable Sector Check, there will be no refund issued. The onus is on the applicant to ensure they are applying for the correct check and have the correct information. If you have any questions, please contact Red Deer RCMP customer service prior to completing an application at 403-406-2309.

FAQ's

What is a Vulnerable Sector Check?
  • A vulnerable sector check is a police information check plus a check to see if a person has a record suspension (pardon) for sexual offences.
  • Vulnerable sector checks were created in 2000 to protect children and vulnerable persons and is governed by section 6.3(3) of the Criminal Records Act. Policies and procedures related to vulnerable sector checks can be found in the Dissemination of Criminal Record Information policy and the Ministerial Directive Concerning the Release of Criminal Record Information by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Who requires a Vulnerable Sector Check?
  • People who volunteer or have jobs where they are in positions of trust or authority over children or vulnerable persons may be asked to obtain a vulnerable sector check. Being in a position of trust or authority is more than just having contact with children or vulnerable persons. To meet the legal requirements for a vulnerable sector check, the nature of the position – not the person – must cause the person to have authority over, or trust of, children or vulnerable persons.
    • Children are defined as being anyone under the age of 18.
    • Vulnerable persons are people who, because of their age, disability or other circumstance, are more vulnerable than others.
    • Example: school teachers, sports coach, nurse, daycare
  • The decision to request a vulnerable sector check is made by the hiring company or volunteer organization. If they determine that a position is one of trust or authority over children or vulnerable persons, they can request that an applicant for the position obtain a vulnerable sector check. The person or organization responsible for children or vulnerable persons also decides how often a vulnerable sector check must be repeated.
    • It is an offence to conduct a vulnerable sector check if the position does not meet the requirements of the Criminal Records Act.
    • Public Safety Canada's The Screening Handbook, 2012 Edition provides organizations with guidance on what level of criminal record screening they require and how to determine their screening requirements.
  • For further questions concerning vulnerable sector checks please call the Red Deer City Detachment at 403-406-2309.
Volunteer Qualifications?
  • A Volunteer is a person who will not receive any remuneration, stipend, credit for their education or consideration for their work. If a person receives any of the previously mentioned, the application will be considered as Employment and the full fee would be required.
What databases are searched?
  • PROS. – Police Reporting Occurrence System (Local records of the Applicant's involvement with RCMP)
  • J.O.I.N. - Justice Online Information Network (The Alberta court system)
  • C.P.I.C. - The Canadian Police Information Centre system and R.C.M.P. National repository in Ottawa.
  • NPIRS - New Police Information Retrieval System
  • PIP – Police Information Portal

The RCMP and The City of Red Deer do not guarantee completeness of the information, as we are limited to information available on the above systems at the time of the check. The check may not include information found in other police jurisdiction's local police Record Management Systems or other court information from other provinces, except convictions registered on the National Repository for Canada and information entered onto the Canadian Police Information Centre System.

What disclosures may be included on a Vulnerable Sector Check?
  • Criminal Records - Adult and Youth (includes indictable, dual procedure and summary conviction offences)
  • Pending and outstanding charges
  • Police Files/Information Reports: Relevant occurrences – this may include interactions an individual has had with police as being disclosed
  • Judicial Orders while in effect: probations, prohibitions, peace bonds and recognizance conditions
  • Non Conviction Records as per disclosure policy.
How will I know when my Record Check is complete?
  • An email will be sent to the email address you provided on the application advising that your Record check is complete and available for pickup.
  • If you have a My City account, you may check the progress of your application on line.
How long will it take for my Record Check to be completed?
  • Your Record Check will be processed as quickly as possible but may take several weeks to complete depending on the volume of requests received.
I have been “flagged” on my Vulnerable Sector Check. What does this mean?
  • Your name and date of birth match a Pardoned sex offender record and fingerprints are required to confirm identity.
  • Flagged Pardoned sexual offender records are searched using only the date of birth and gender of the applicant to ensure that an unreported name change would not allow a pardoned sexual offender to avoid being identified through a Vulnerable Sector Query.
What types of ID will be accepted?

Photo identification can be one of the following:

  • Driver’s License (Interim operator's license NOT valid ID)
  • Alberta Photo Identification Card (Issued through Registry Agent Offices)
  • Passport
  • Permanent Residence Card (ONLY instance where ID with an expired date is acceptable)
  • Firearms License
  • Refugee Protection Claimant Document - Certified
  • Nexus Card
  • Secure Certificate of Indian Status Card (Federally issued)

Non-photo identification can be one of the following:

  • Provincial Healthcare Card
  • Birth Certificate
  • Marriage Certificate
  • Immigration Papers (Includes any VALID document issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada with proper applicant descriptor information)
  • Citizenship Card
  • Citizenship Certificate

Expired ID will not be accepted.

How long is my Record Check good for?

Police records checks are only valid on the day they are issued, since information can change from day to day. They are a “snapshot in time” only. The police to not determine an expiry date. This is up to the agency/employer. Some might accept a criminal records check that is 3-6 months old, while other may want a new one.

Since a person can be clear of charges or criminal activity today but could be arrested and charged tomorrow, we offer no guarantees on the validity of a criminal record check beyond the actual date on which the search was conducted. As well, not all criminal convictions are reported to the RCMP, and more recent dispositions may not be updated on their system at the time a check is conducted.

In our experience, most employers will ask for a new criminal records check if a your current one is over 3-6 months, and almost certainly if it’s older than one year. However, this is entirely at the discretion of the agency/employer.

Can My Record Check be Email to me?

No. For security and privacy reasons, you must pick up your Record in person and produce your receipt and the same two pieces of ID supplied on your application for verification.

What needs to be included in a Volunteer Letter?

  1. Date (within 3 months of application)
  2. Applicant’s name.
  3. Type of Record Check requested; Criminal Record Check or Vulnerable Sector Check;
  4. Position the applicant is applying on. Make note that a volunteer is not a position. Examples of a volunteer include, but are not limited to, coach, chaperone, teacher helper, etc.
  5. Requests for Vulnerable Sector Check must include detail about the children or adults the applicant will be working with, explaining why the people are classified as Vulnerable Sector.
  6. Verification the applicant is volunteering and will not receive any remuneration or consideration for their work.
  7. The name and title of the person requiring the check.
  8. Full agency name, address and phone number on agency’s letterhead.
  9. Signature of representative of organization.

Additional Information
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