All You Need To Know About Police Information Checks in Calgary

Police information checks in Calgary are more common than any background check in Canada. The Calgary Police Service (CPS) conducts these checks for various purposes, including employment, volunteering, adoption, immigration, etc. Most employers ask for them when they want a detailed certificate showcasing any criminal activity the individual has been involved in the past. This helps them make an informed decision before hiring the person. The police information check in Calgary utilizes three intensive databases to gather required information, which is considered very thorough.

The types of checks in Calgary can be broadly divided into two categories:

Standard PIC: This check is mainly used for employment and volunteering and includes information from Sentry, CPIC, JOIN, and the RCMP. The details given in this record check are as follows:

• Criminal convictions under federal law
• Outstanding charges and warrants
• Conditions from recent court decisions (like probation)
• Absolute and conditional discharges (within 1–3 years)
• Police summary information if it’s relevant to the position (e.g., patterns of behavior)

PIC with Vulnerable Sector: This type of check is required for people who work directly with children and vulnerable adults. This check includes all Standard PIC information plus a search for pardoned sexual offences.

 If your name, birthdate, or gender is similar to someone who’s had a pardoned sex offence, you must submit fingerprints to confirm your identity. This information is sent to the RCMP to verify if it matches your identity.

Enhanced Police Information Check: This check includes everything mentioned in the PIC and law enforcement intelligence and is available through third-party providers.  The details included in this search are:

• Court records   
• Police records
• Global sanctions
• Watchlists

There are three databases that the Calgary police go through to give you a PIC. The content of these databases has been described as follows:

The residents in Calgary who require a Police information check for various uses can do so with the Calgary Police. People living outside Calgary need to apply through their local police service, RCMP detachment centres, or third-party companies that are authorized to perform these checks for you. It is important to note that a police information check in the Vulnerable Sector can only be performed by the local police. In this case, only the residents of Calgary can get a police information check from the Calgary police. 

There are three ways in which you can apply for PIC in Calgary:

Online Application: You can apply for PIC in Calgary through the online portal at the Calgary police station website. Sit with all the scanned copies of the documents you need to update if you need a police check. All steps, including ID verification, fee payment, and receiving results, are handled electronically. When you log on to the online website, you may be redirected to a third-party website that works on behalf of the police for these verifications.

Note: If you use these portals, you might pay extra charges to the partner website for doing these criminal record checks in Calgary. You can instead avoid this cost and go to third part agencies that will take nominal charges and provide faster and more discreet results for your application.

Third-Party Agencies: You can rely on third-party agencies accredited by the RCMP to get all your checks, except for the vulnerable sector check. They are discreet, fast, and you don't have to wait in a queue to get access to your results. You can opt for these services at a nominal charge here.

In-person application: In some cases, you may need to go for an in-person application for fingerprint checks if your PIC does not come out to be conclusive. In this case, you might have to visit the local police station or headquarters as requested by the police. 

Applicants must provide two pieces of original government-issued identification:

• One must have a photo ID (e.g., Driver’s License, Passport, Permanent Resident Card).
• The second can be a non-photo ID (e.g., Birth Certificate, Health Care Card).

Applications sent to the Calgary police are processed in the order received. High volumes may lead to longer processing times. If you want to get a faster turnaround for your application, you can get the check done by a third-party accredited company that can do a name-based check for you in as little as two hours. 

Results are available in your online account for 90 days. It's essential to download and save a copy within this timeframe.  If the name-based check is a hit, the police may ask you to come for fingerprint verification for further checks. In other cases, the result is displayed on the certificate for further use. If you need to understand the results of your PIC, you can go through the guide here.