Police Record Checks

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A POLICE RECORD CHECK.

Attention!

Please be sure to record your assigned username and password as they will be required to download your results. Username and password is case sensitive.

A police record check is a search of police database records about an individual. These checks are often used as part of a screening process for employment or volunteers. The Cornwall Police Service is dedicated to assisting the community by providing Police Record Checks to any individual to whom the information pertains. At no time will the Cornwall Police Service provide this information to a third party without the individual's consent as per Ontario Bill 113.

When and why are Police Record Checks used?

may be required by law or organizational policy
may be a useful tool to help determine an individual’s suitability for certain types of opportunities (e.g., employment in a position responsible for working with vulnerable individuals).
Note: they are just ONE of the tools available to help determine suitability (in addition to interviews, reference checks, verification of credentials/licences/certifications, etc.)

Types of Police Record Checks:

The Police Record Checks Reform Act, became law on November 1, 2018, fundamentally changing the rules around what police can tell prospective employers, volunteer agencies and foreign governments and residents of Ontario. Effective November 1, 2018, information disclosed and included in a police record check has been standardized for three types of checks:


Criminal Record Check	Includes applicable criminal convictions and findings of guilt under the federal Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Criminal Record Check & Judicial Matters Check	Includes applicable criminal convictions, findings of guilt under the federal Youth Criminal Justice Act, absolute and conditional discharges, outstanding charges, arrest warrants, and certain judicial orders.
Vulnerable Sector Check	Includes the same type of information that is disclosed in a criminal record and judicial matters check as well as applicable findings of not criminally responsible due to mental disorder, record suspensions (pardons) related to sexually-based offences, and in certain circumstances, non-conviction charge related information; when a strict test is met. The Vulnerable Sector Check is intended to be used for a specific purpose: to screen individuals that work or volunteer in positions of trust and/or authority relative to vulnerable individuals (e.g., teachers and daycare workers, staff in long-term care and retirement homes, service providers working with individuals with disabilities).

Disclosure of Youth Records:

This is one of the most significant changes to record checks in Ontario. Youth records are only permitted to be disclosed in two circumstances:

To the youth themselves, who is not permitted to further disclose Findings of Guilt and must remove any results from the record check before sharing with agencies
To the Government of Canada or the government of a province or a municipality for purposes of employment or the performances of services, with or without remuneration

What does this mean? Only federal, provincial and municipal goverment agencies will receive youth records.

The PRCRA regulates how police services release Police Record Checks (PRC) containing youth records to applicants. Up until now, police services have released a PRC containing youth records directly to the applicant who then provide the PRC to the organization or volunteer agency. The federal and provincial government has found this approach to be contrary to the Federal Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA).

The only authorized release of a PRC containing youth records will be to a federal, provincial or municipal government. Applicants can gain access to their own record through the Federal Access to Information process but this record is not a PRC and is not allowed to be shared with any other agency.

It is important to note the change for the community – police services will only provide PRC’s to applicants under the age of 18 for government positions. This is because non-government agencies are not authorized to receive any results. To require applicants to apply and pay for a PRC when no results will be released is not in the best interest of applicants, the police service and the community.

What does this mean? Police services are unable to disclose whether or not there is a youth record.

Due the above noted changes in the Police Records Check Reform Act, the Cornwall Police Service will not be providing Police Records Checks to applicants under the age of 18, unless the applicant is applying for an employment or volunteer position with a goverment agency.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A POLICE RECORDS CHECK:

The online Police Records Check system allows you to apply for a police screening check 24 hours a day without having to attend our facility. All aspects of the process - including verification of your identification, and fee payment - are handled electronically. If there are no concerns or follow-up required, you will receive an email with instructions on how to download your police record check. The applicant will receive their electronic Police Record Check in 3 business days.

Police Record Checks can also be applied for in-person at our police headquarters located at 340 Pitt Street, Cornwall, ON during business hours. Please note, Police Record Checks that are applied for in-person are not expedited as those completed using the online system. Delays may occur.

How long does it take to receive my completed Police Record Check?

The turnaround time for police record checks can vary depending on the volume of requests we are experiencing. There may also be occasions where information is delayed or requires further confirmation. We appreciate that everyone would like their check completed as quickly as possible, and we strive to minimize the turnaround time as best we can.

If an applicant needs to be fingerprinted to complete a Vulnerable Sector check, the completion of their check will be delayed. Should you have any questions with respect to the online process please contact the Records Department.

Will I require fingerprints?

Vulnerable Sector Verification Delays

The Minister of Public Safety issued a directive meaning to enhance Vulnerable Sector Verification checks to make the searches more rigorous. In the interest of public safety, the enhancements were quickly implemented to protect vulnerable members of society. As a result, a Vulnerable Sector Verification may require the submission of fingerprints to the RCMP whenever the name or gender and date of birth of an applicant match to an existing pardoned sex offender record. This is not an accusation of criminality, but a requirement for a thorough verification to confirm identity and protect personal privacy.
When a Records Clerk begins your Police Records Check, he/she will be notified by the RCMP if you are required to attend for fingerprints. The Records Clerk will call you at the phone number provided on your Police Records Check to schedule an appointment. Fingerprints are completed at CPS headquarters on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings between 8:00 am and 10:30 am.

Why are there additional fees required for these fingerprints?

The CPS charges a fee of $41.50, in addition to a fee of $25.00 charged by the RCMP for each set of vulnerable sector fingerprints that are for employment or adoption purposes. As a result, the CPS will collect the required fees on behalf of the RCMP
For a list of the RCMP processing fee schedule, Visit the website at: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cr-cj/vulner/faq-eng.htm

Police Record Check Forms:

For more information on Police Record Checks, please call 613-933-5000 ext. 2401.