Police Information Checks
***Due to the high volume of Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check applications, our current turn around time is 3 weeks. ***
To avoid delays in processing, please ensure you have submitted the correct supporting documentation and you are a current resident of Victoria or Esquimalt.
Note: Saanich, Oak Bay, Central Saanich, Sidney/North Saanich, and Langford/Metchosin, Colwood, and Sooke all have Police agencies who process Police Information Checks for their own residents.
There are 2 Types of Police Information Checks (PIC)
- Vulnerable Sector Police Information Checks (VS)
- Regular (Non-Vulnerable) Police Information Checks (sometimes referred to as Criminal Background Checks)
Vulnerable Sector Police Information Checks (PIS-VS)
At Victoria Police Department we ONLY process Vulnerable Sector Police Information Checks (PIC-VS) – this is required for those who work or volunteer in a position of trust or authority over Vulnerable People.
A Vulnerable People is defined by the Criminal Records Act as-
“a person who, because of [their] age, a disability or other circumstances, whether temporary or permanent,
(a) is in a position of dependency on others; or
(b) is otherwise at a greater risk than the general population of being harmed by a person in a position of trust or authority towards them.”
Vulnerable Sector Police Information Checks are done in the jurisdiction in which you reside, not where you work. Victoria Police Department will process applications from those who live in the City of Victoria and Township of Esquimalt only.
Saanich, Oak Bay, Central Saanich, Sidney/North Saanich, and Langford/Metchosin, Colwood, and Sooke all have Police agencies who process Police Information Checks for their own residents.
Fees
Victoria Police Department accepts Debit, Credit cards, and Cash. If paying by cash please bring exact amount – no change is provided.
Employment: $70**
This includes, practicum students and home stay families.
**If fingerprinting is required to complete your Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check, an additional $25 fee will be payable. Not all vulnerable sector checks require fingerprints. Once we have received your application, we will contact you for an appointment if it is needed.
Volunteer: Waived
A letter from the Volunteer agency must be provided. See What to Bring section for more information.
What to Bring
Documentation: We need a letter or email from your employer/volunteer agency that they require a Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check. The letter or email must be on company letterhead or from an official company email address (ie not Gmail) and include the following information:
- the organization’s name, address, and contact person with phone number
- your name
- date
- a brief description of how you will be working with vulnerable people
- state whether it is for employment or volunteer
Identification: Please bring with you two (2) pieces of government issued Identification – one of which MUST have a picture and proof of Victoria/Esquimalt address. Acceptable forms of ID include:
- Driver’s license (any province)
- BC ID (or other province ID)
- Passport (any country)
- Citizenship Card
- Military ID Card
- Status Card
- Birth Certificate
- Health Care Card
Please note – Police Information Checks cannot be completed without proof of identity with photo ID
How to Apply
Online: The Victoria Police Department has partnered with Triton Canada to offer City of Victoria and Township of Esquimalt residents the ability to apply and pay for your Vulnerable Sector Police Information Sector Check online here:
https://secure.tritoncanada.ca/v/public/landing/victoriapoliceservice/home
Please note, if you apply online your completed Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check will be emailed to you in PDF format. We will not send it to a third party.
Employers can check the authenticity of the document here mypolicecheck.com/validate/victoriapoliceservice using the Confirmation ID and Request ID located at the bottom of page 3 of the completed check.
Please ensure you upload the correct supporting documentation and you live in the City of Victoria or Township of Esquimalt. Incorrect submissions and non-vulnerable police Information checks will be rejected and payment refunded.
In Person: If you do not wish to apply online, our Police Information Check office is located at Victoria Police Department, 850 Caledonia Ave, Victoria. Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays from 8:30am to 3:30pm (closed noon to 1pm). *Please do not attend our Esquimalt location.
To save time, you may download the Police Information Check form and fill it out prior to attending our office.
Non-Vulnerable (Regular) Police Information Checks
Regular Non-Vulnerable Police Information Checks apply to those who DO NOT work with Vulnerable People but who still need a background check for employment. We DO NOT accept these applications. Please contact one of the following accredited agencies:
The Commissionaires
http://www.commissionaires.ca
250-727-7755
CERTN
https://mycrc.ca/vicpd
If you have any questions, please call our Police Information Checks office at 250-995-7314 or [email protected]
FAQs
No. We provide this service to residents of the City of Victoria and Township of Esquimalt only. If you reside in another municipality please attend your local police department.
No. You must apply in person and present the required identification.
No appointment is necessary. No appointment is necessary if applying for a Police Information Check, however, appointments are required for fingerprints. The hours of operation are as follows:
Victoria Police Main Headquarters
Tuesday to Thursday 8:30am to 3:30pm
(please note the office is closed from noon to 1:00)
Fingerprinting Services are only available at VicPD and on Wednesday between
10:00 am to 3:30pm
(please note the office is closed from noon to 1:00 pm)
Esquimalt Division Office
Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm
Victoria Police Department does not put an expiry date on these documents. The employer or volunteer agency must determine how old a record check can be that they will still accept.
No. You must attend in person for identification verification.
This service is not being offered at this time.
No. We release the results to the applicant only. It is your responsibility to pick up your check and provide it to the organization.
No. If you have convictions you will be able to complete a self declaration of these when you apply for your Police Information Check. If you declaration is accurate and matches what we locate on our systems it will be verified. If it is inaccurate you will be required to submit fingerprints to RCMP Ottawa.
We conduct civil fingerprinting on Wednesdays only. Please attend the main Victoria Police Headquarters at 850 Caledonia Avenue any Wednesday between 10 am & 3:30 pm. Do note that the fingerprinting office is closed from 12 noon to 1 pm.
Civil Fingerprints are done on WEDNESDAYS ONLY, between the hours of 10 AM and 3:30 PM. An appointment is required – call 250-995-7314 to book.
Normal processing for paid police checks is approximately 5-7 business days. There are circumstances however that may delay this process. Applicants with past residences outside BC can often expect longer delays.
Volunteer checks can take 2-4 weeks.
No. You must pay the $70 fee. You may be able to submit the receipt with your income tax return if the check is a requirement for your schooling.
Additionally – practicum placements are not volunteer positions as you will receive education credits – you will need to pay to have your police record check done.
Yes. Each time you are required to have one you will have to start the process again. We do not keep copies of previous checks.
At our main headquarters we accept cash, debit, Visa and Mastercard. We do not accept personal cheques. At our Esquimalt Division office payment is cash only at this time.