What is the Difference Between PIC and PIC-VS?

There are many police checks required for various purposes. Among them, Police Information Check (PIC) and Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector (PIC-VS) are quite common. However, these checks are quite different from each other and are required for separate purposes.

Therefore, it is highly important to understand these checks and their differences so that it is known which type of police check is needed as per circumstances. PIC and PIC-VS use different procedures and take place in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan provinces. While getting such checks seems quite complicated, trusted agencies such as Globeia provide an easy and safe platform for them.

In this blog, we will understand about the differences between PIC and PIC-VS in depth.

 

A Police Information Check (PIC) is required when a person seeks employment or volunteering roles at settings that demand police information check. This check is considered enhanced police information check and electronic police information check as per the nature of this check too. This check involves showing information regarding convictions, suspended sentences, charges, warrants as well as other kinds of details from police record management systems and even provincial court records. 

 

Who Needs to Get This Check?

You may require PIC if you are: 

• Office worker
• Retail worker
• Factory/warehouse worker
• Hospitality (bars, hotels, restaurants)
• Truck driver
• Tenant for rental property
• Security guard
• Realtor/mortgage broker
• Attendant in a dog shelter/dog walker

Requirements

For the Police Information Check (PIC) section, you will be required to submit a government  issued ID for photo identification and address history. This check is not for those who may be looking for any role of authority or trust with respect to vulnerable persons in Canada only. Hence, this is not the right police check for employment in trust or authority with regards to vulnerable populations.

Conducted By

Police Information Check (PIC) can be done by local police stations and third party platforms. Using a trusted third party platform such as Globeia can smoothen the entire process of taking Police Information Check online.

A Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector (PIC-VS) is required when a person seeks employment or volunteering roles at settings which involve vulnerable persons in Canada only. This is a more extensive check that will look for information about offenses such as conviction of sexual offenses with record suspensions, other convictions, non convictions, charges, warrants, as well as other kinds of details from police management systems and other authorized establishments. This check is used only within Canada and cannot be applied outside the nation.

 

Who Needs to Get This Check?

You may require to get PIC-VS if you are:

• School teacher or teaching assistant (on hire or placement)
• Social worker
• Daycare worker
• School bus driver
• Counselor/psychologist/social worker
• Residential care aid/caregiver
• Minor sporting coach
• Child or youth worker
• Nursing/retirement home worker
• Scout leader
• School crossing guard
• Host family/boarding parent
• Police officer

Requirements

For PIC-VS, an applicant is required to submit a government issued valid ID for photo and address history. This check may require fingerprints too.

Conducted By

This check can be done by the local police station and the applicant must be a resident of that particular police station's jurisdiction. If fingerprints are required, the applicant will have to go to any RCMP accredited agency to submit fingerprints.