Vulnerable Sector Searches

Individuals applying for a police information check who may be working with vulnerable members of society are required to undergo a vulnerable sector verification.

Vulnerable persons are those who:

Depend on others (such as children or people with disabilities)
Are at higher-than-normal risk of harm from authority figures

A vulnerable sector verification determines if individuals working with the vulnerable sector have a sexual offence conviction for which they have received a pardon.

Follow-up requests

If your information results in a possible match to a vulnerable sector verification record search:

You will receive an attend letter for follow-up
You must book an appointment with the Calgary Police Service for fingerprinting
Fingerprints are submitted to the National Repository and checked against the pardoned sex offence database.

For questions, please contact the Police Information Check or visit one of our locations.

Changes to the verification process

In July 2010, the RCMP implemented changes to the vulnerable sector verification record search to detect individuals who changed their legal name after receiving a pardon for a sexual offence.

Visit the RCMP’s vulnerable sector check section for more information.

How the process works now

Changes to the vulnerable sector search mean that all individuals are more likely to be flagged to provide further information. This does not suggest that the applicant is the subject of a pardon for a sexual offence, but only that the results are 'inconclusive' based on the name, date of birth and gender search against the pardoned sex offender database.

Current process:

Searches include surname, given name, date of birth and gender of the applicant
A match on date of birth and gender alone triggers a need for fingerprinting
Fingerprints are submitted to the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Service (CCRTIS) for verification.

Fingerprinting process

Book an appointment to have your fingerprints taken at the Calgary Police Service Westwinds Campus (5111 47 Street N.E.)

Note: Appointments are taken on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (excluding statutory holidays). Walk-ins are not accepted.

What to bring

One piece of photo identification such as:
- Driver’s licence
- Alberta identification card
- Passport
- Permanent Resident card
- Firearms licence
- Nexus card
- Secure Certificate of Indian Status card (federally issued)
- Aviation document booklet
- Certified Refugee Protection Claimant Document

Non-photo identification such as:
- Provincial health care card
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Immigration papers
- Citizenship card (issued within the last five years)
- Citizenship certificate
For volunteers, a volunteer letter from the agency/organization, on official letterhead, indicating your name and specific duties related to the vulnerable sector.
For those seeking a vulnerable sector check for employment or unpaid practicum, payment of $25.

After the appointment

The Police Information Check of the Calgary Police Service will receive the results of the vulnerable sector verification record search directly from the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Service (CCRTIS).

If the result is negative, a Police Information Check Certificate letter will be sent directly to you via Canada Post.
If the result is positive and a search confirms a relevant pardoned sex offender record, it will be disclosed on a Police Information Check Certificate letter issued by Calgary Police Service on official letterhead. The Police Information Check Unit will send the certificate letter directly to you via Canada Post.

You are responsible for returning your certificate letter issued from either CCRTIS or Calgary Police Service to the agency/organization requesting the vulnerable sector verification record search.

Additional information

Vulnerable Sector Information Sheet and FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why am I required to undergo a vulnerable sector verification?

Some organizations may require a vulnerable sector verification by their own choice for roles involving vulnerable persons. Some examples of individuals who are required to undergo this process may include

teachers, social workers, daycare providers
coaches, care providers, counselors, camp providers, bus drivers
students in work placements with the vulnerable sector.
security guards and locksmiths.

Does requiring fingerprinting mean I have a pardoned offence?

No. It It means the results are 'inconclusive'` based on the name, date of birth and gender search against the pardoned sex offender database.

What does fingerprinting cost?

For employment or unpaid practicum student purposes, the cost is $25. Fingerprinting for volunteers is free if you provide a volunteer letter from your organization.

If you receive any sort of remuneration (payment or money), you are considered an employment applicant and must pay the $25 fee. This also applies to those undergoing verification because of a spouse. For instance, if you are required to undergo a verification because of your spouse's in-home daycare, you are subject to the $25 fee since he/she is receiving remuneration.

How are the vulnerable sector verifications processed?

A name-based vulnerable sector record search (using the pardoned sex offender database) will be conducted on all individuals in a position of trust who will be dealing with the vulnerable sector. This record search must be performed by the police service at the local jurisdiction where the applicant resides.

Once your completed application is received by the Calgary Police Service, your name, date of birth and gender is checked on national, provincial and Calgary Police databases to determine the existence of any criminal convictions, outstanding charges or incidents of any relevant police information.

A vulnerable sector record search is then conducted through the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), administered by the Ottawa RCMP - CCRTIS (Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Service), which checks for pardoned sex offender files.

How long does the vulnerable sector verification record search take?

If fingerprints are not matched to a criminal file, the estimated processing times is approximately two to four weeks. If fingerprints are matched to a criminal file or any criminal conviction, the estimated processing time could be in excess of 120 days.

What does the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Service (CCRTIS) do with my fingerprints?

If your fingerprints match a pardoned sex offender related file, CCRTIS will make a request to the Minister of Public Safety to disclose the relevant pardoned sex offender record. Once the right to disclose the relevant pardoned sex offender record from the Minister of Public Safety is received, the CCRTIS will send the pardoned sex offender record to the relevant police service who submitted the original request.

If your fingerprints do not match a pardoned sex offender related file, the CCRTIS will send a certificate letter to the relevant police service who submitted the original request, stating the vulnerable sector record search was performed and the result was negative.

CCRTIS will ensure all documents meet the requirements of the Criminal Records Act and Privacy Act.

What happens to my fingerprints afterwards?

Fingerprint submissions are retained for 90 days and then destroyed by the Canadian Real Time Identification Service (CCRTIS). Your fingerprints are not added to the RCMP National Repository of Criminal Records or retained for future searching purposes.

Why don't all individuals have to submit their fingerprints during the vulnerable sector verification?

If the results indicate 'conclusively' that there is no match, the vulnerable sector verification record search is complete and fingerprints are not required.

Can I be employed or volunteer while I am waiting for the results?

The employer or volunteer agency is responsible for determining your eligibility with their organization.

Are vulnerable sector verifications performed for adoptive parents?

Please visit police information checks for adoptions for more information.

Can a Vulnerable Sector Verification be conducted for a country other than Canada?

No, vulnerable sector verifications apply to Canadian organizations only. For a country other than Canada, contact the organization to determine their requirements, and then call the country's embassy in Canada.

You may also contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT).