Obtain a Criminal Records Check (Police Information Check)

The RCMP in BC, like all police agencies in the Province, provides one form of criminal record check. It is called a Police Information Check (PIC) .

The Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (or CCRTIS), part of the Forensic Science and Identification Services in Ottawa, also provides a product called a "criminal record check." It is available to individuals across the country and you do not have to go through an RCMP detachment to obtain one. This check is different from a PIC.

Although CCRTIS provides its own type of criminal record check, CCRTIS may also be involved in the processing of a PIC, where there is a need to check for pardoned sex offences as part of a PIC-VS.

Find out the difference between a Criminal Record Check, a Police Information Check, and a Vulnerable Sector Check.


B.C. Police Information Check (PIC)

There are two types of Police Information Checks:

  1. PIC - for employment or volunteer services that do not involve children or vulnerable adults
    • It will be limited to criminal convictions, outstanding criminal charges and warrants and other judicial orders.
    • It can be used for employment outside of Canada.
    • You can apply for a PIC when you are outside of Canada by verifying your identity with a local police force or the nearest consulate.
  2. PIC-VS - for employment or volunteer services that do involve children or vulnerable adults
    • It will include:
      • criminal convictions, outstanding criminal charges and warrants, and other judicial orders.
      • non-convictions and files in which you were a bona fide suspect in a founded substantiated offence.
    • It will not include unsubstantiated allegations.
    • Can only be done for organizations in Canada. The position itself can be outside of Canada, but the results of the vulnerable sector check must stay within Canada.
    • You cannot apply for a PIC-VS when you are outside of Canada.

To apply for a PIC or PIC-VS:

 

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