Why get a criminal record check
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Criminal record checks explained
Learn why you might need a criminal record check and how they work.
Transcript - Criminal record checks explained
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Criminal record checks.
What are they?
Why you might need one, where to go, and what is the process?
A criminal record check determines if you have a criminal record in the RCMP’s national repository.
The repository is maintained by Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services on behalf of law enforcement partners in Canada.
Information is submitted to the RCMP in accordance with the Identification of Criminals Act.
You may be asked to get a criminal record check by a third party or government agency if you are applying for employment or volunteering, adoption, name change, record suspension, or for other reasons.
You can go to your local police agency or to a company authorized to perform this service.
Consult with your local police to learn more.
The police or authorized company will use biographic information like your name and date of birth to verify if you have a criminal record.
The police search your biographic information against the RCMP Canadian Police Information Centre system.
Most of the time, your results are ready in a very short time, but if you have a criminal record or if your biographic information is similar to someone who has a criminal record, you may be asked to have your fingerprints taken.
In some cases, a fingerprint based criminal record check is needed for federal government employment, record suspensions or high security jobs.
Fingerprint-based criminal record checks are the most accurate way to verify your identity.
Being asked for your fingerprints doesn't mean you're suspected of a crime.
It's to prevent you from being associated with a criminal record that is not yours, and to make sure that your criminal history is accurate.
Any fingerprints you provide are only used for checking whether you have a criminal record, and will be destroyed after the verification.
Once the process is complete, most fingerprint based criminal record results are sent by mail or electronically to authorize third parties like federal agencies or police departments.
Remember, processing times for a fingerprint based criminal record check can vary from three days to 120 business days.
Make sure to plan ahead.
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Reasons for getting a criminal record check
Organizations are responsible for determining their own unique requirements for hiring people. Many organizations require people to get criminal record or vulnerable sector checks for different reasons, some of which include employment, volunteer work, adoption, immigration or foreign travel, or name change.
Because organizations are responsible for their screening procedures, they determine the type of check that is required. If you have questions about why an organization requires a criminal background check, you should consult with them directly.
For guidance on screening practices, refer to Public Safety Canada's The Screening Handbook, 2012 Edition.
Frequency of checks
Criminal record checks include information that is available to police services at the time the check is being processed. There is no guarantee that the information will still be accurate and complete within a few months, weeks or even days. For this reason applicants may be asked to repeat the process for new or existing positions. The company or organization that asked you to get a criminal record check is responsible for determining how often it has to be repeated.
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