Skip to main content
Police Service Logo

Sarnia Police Service
Police Record Checks

Help Login  |  Register
Forgot Username?  |  Forgot Password?

Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)

click image to play video
This check is restricted to applicants seeking employment, student placement, Foster Parent, Kinship Care or volunteering with vulnerable individuals. With your consent, a query of sex offences for which a pardon has been granted will be conducted in compliance with the Criminal Records Act (CRA).

By definition, “Vulnerable Persons" means persons who, because of their age, a disability or other circumstances, whether temporary or permanent, (A) are in a position of dependence on others; or (B) are otherwise at a greater risk than the general population of being harmed by persons in a position of authority or trust relative to them.

If you are not directly responsible in your position for vulnerable persons as defined above, you only require a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC).

When performing a PVSC query, the system initially attempts to identify a possible match to a sexual offence for which a pardon has been granted. This match is based on the surname and given name, date of birth and gender of the individual. If the initial query does not identify the possible existence of a sexual offence record for which the individual received a pardon, the system will now perform a subsequent query based on the gender and date of birth of the individual. The additional query ensures that the system will require fingerprints to complete the PVSC verification based on similar gender and date of birth data. This change may also trigger the system to prompt for more fingerprint submissions to verify the existence of PARDONED SEX OFFENDER records. It is important for the public to understand that under no circumstance does this notification confirm that the applicant is or is not a pardoned sex offender. In almost all cases, this “possible match” is ruled out via fingerprints. If a vulnerable sector hit occurs, you will be required to provide fingerprints through Live Scan by making an appointment. The cost for Live Scan is $25.00 (employment) and no charge for volunteer (you must provide volunteer letter). Fingerprint appointments can be made by attending the Sarnia Police front desk, or by calling (519) 344-8861.

NOTE: In accordance with the Criminal Records Act, the police must be satisfied that a Vulnerable Sector screening check is a truly valid requirement for the position. A request for a Vulnerable Sector check does not guarantee one will be completed. The applicant and agency must satisfy requirements for eligibility.

All of the information contained in the Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) is included in the Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC), if you work or volunteer with vulnerable individuals you only need to complete the Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC), not both.


Police Vulnerable Sector Checks will include:
  1. Criminal convictions from CPIC and/or local databases and Summary convictions, for 5 years, when identified.
  2. Outstanding entries, such as charges, judicial orders, Peace Bonds, Probation and Prohibition Orders.
  3. Absolute and conditional discharges for 1 or 3 years respectively.
  4. In very exceptional cases, where it meets the Exceptional Disclosure Assessment, non-conviction dispositions including, but not limited to Withdrawn and Dismissed.
  5. Not Criminally Responsible by Reason of Mental Disorder, for 5 years, when identified.
  6. All record suspensions (pardons) as authorized for release by the Minister of Public Safety.

Police Vulnerable Sector Checks will NOT include:
  1. Findings of Guilt under the Youth Criminal Justice Act within the applicable disclosure period.
  2. Summary convictions from another jurisdiction may not be disclosed.
  3. Convictions under provincial statutes.
  4. Local Police Contact (unless, in very exceptional circumstances, where it meets the Exceptional Disclosure Assessment).
  5. Ministry of Transportation information (PARIS).
  6. Family Court Restraining Orders.
  7. Foreign information.
  8. Any reference to incidents involving mental health contact.
  9. Diversion will not be released as police contact and no reference to the occurrence is permitted (CC S. 717.4).
  10. Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) charges or information beyond the applicable disclosure period.
  11. Any reference to contagious disease.

Self-Declaration

Self-declaration of a criminal record is a process where you may declare your adult criminal record convictions to the police service.

A self-declaration must be filled out if you have an adult criminal record, in order for the Police Service to complete and release the record check.

Do NOT declare:
  1. A conviction for which you have received a pardon.
  2. A conviction where you were a “young person”.
  3. Absolute or Conditional Discharges.
  4. Any offences where you were not convicted.
  5. Provincial or municipal offences.
  6. Any charges dealt with outside of Canada.
The Police Service will confirm if the information declared matches the criminal record information contained within the RCMP National Repository of Criminal Records. If the Police Service is not satisfied that your declared criminal record information is a match to a Criminal Record held at the repository, fingerprints will be required to complete your record check.