Police Information Checks (PIC)
Police Information Checks are performed only with the written consent of the applicant for employment or volunteer positions.
Before an individual applies for a Police Information Check the organization/employer should:
- Understand the legal rules concerning the collection, use, security and any further disclosure of the information obtained through a police information check, as contained in the Personal Information Protection Act (for businesses and non-profit organizations) and in the Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act (for public bodies).
- Determine whether a Vulnerable Sector check is required to be included, as this type of police information check is designed to assist the organization/employer in determining the suitability of potential employment/volunteer candidates whose duties will include responsibility for the well-being of persons who, because of their age, disability or other circumstances are at a greater risk than the general population.
The Saanich Police Department provides two types of Police Information Checks:
- Police Information Check (PIC)
- Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (PIC-VS)
Police Information Check (PIC)
This check is intended for applicants who are seeking volunteer and/or employment with agencies where the applicant will NOT be in a position of trust or authority relative to vulnerable persons.Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (PIC-VS)
This check is restricted to applicants seeking employment and/or volunteering in a position of authority or trust relative to vulnerable persons in Canada only. If your certificate is being used outside of Canada, we are unable to process a Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector (VS) search.If the applicant is being considered to work in a paid or volunteer position where they will be in a position responsible for children or vulnerable individuals they may be required to submit fingerprints to verify whether there is a criminal record including the existence of any sex offences for which they received a record suspension contained within the RCMP National Criminal Records Repository.
When applying for a PIC-VS you do not need to apply for a PIC for the same position, as the PIC-VS includes both the PIC and VS.
Please note: Being in the vicinity of vulnerable persons does not qualify for a PIC-VS.
Self-Declaration
Self-declaration of a criminal record is a process where the applicant may declare their adult criminal record of convictions to the Saanich Police Department. This may allow the Saanich Police Department to assess the accuracy of the applicant’s criminal record information without taking fingerprints and without the delay that a fingerprint comparison may cause.Release of Completed Police Information Check
The Saanich Police Department will provide the results of a completed Police Information Check to the applicant only.It is the choice of the applicant to decide whether they wish to discuss the results of the Police Information Check with the requesting organization/employer. The role of the Saanich Police Department is to provide the applicant with the results of the Police Information Check. The hiring organization/employer is responsible for determining the suitability of the applicant for the position. The result of any Police Information Check is just one component of the information available to and evaluated by the organization/employer.
Please refer to the Saanich Police Department website for further information regarding the police information check processes.