ARCHIVED - Technology Increases Speed and Reliability of Vulnerable Sector Police Checks

Aurora, September 2, 2011 — Children's coaches, volunteers, child care workers and others who give their time to work with vulnerable individuals now have access to faster, more accurate and more efficient police checks in York Region, announced the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and MP for York-Simcoe, on behalf of Minister Toews, Canada's Minister of Public Safety, who showcased this technology earlier this year in Ottawa and Calgary.

“In order to help safeguard the safety and security of families and communities, the Government of Canada encourages organizations that work with children and the elderly to ensure potential employees undergo a vulnerable sector check,” said Minister Van Loan. “I am pleased to highlight the RCMP's efforts to develop and implement this technology which, with the cooperation of police forces like York Regional Police, will help reduce these important verification wait times from months to, at the most, a few weeks.”

With this technology, applicants can submit their fingerprint for verification and in a matter of minutes, receive a response, as opposed to the weeks or months of waiting that were required under the previous system. Fingerprints related to vulnerable sector checks are destroyed after the research process is completed. The Real-Time Identification (RTID) system is already in use in 36 police jurisdictions across Canada.

“These checks ensure that offenders cannot hide their criminal past by simply changing their name,” said Minister Van Loan. “I commend the RCMP as well as York Regional Police and other agencies across Canada for moving forward with this important initiative to make verifications faster and more efficient.”

“Last year, the RCMP made improvements to its Real Time Identification System to allow police services across the country to electronically submit fingerprints and receive responses for vulnerable sector checks within minutes using Livescan devices,” said RCMP Superintendant Guy Parent, Director General Canadian Criminal Real-Time Identification Service. “The RCMP has been working with police agencies to help them get connected to RTID. The system is already demonstrating successes because of the support of our partners who recognize its benefits – for law enforcement and for Canadians.”

“The technology was an excellent investment both for York Regional Police and the community we serve. The use of Livescan will allow us to process vulnerable sector checks more effectively, thereby ensuring children and other vulnerable members of our community are protected,” said York Regional Police Deputy Chief, Thomas Carrique.

The Government of Canada recommends that vulnerable sector verifications be completed for persons applying for positions responsible for the care of society's most vulnerable. Additional information on Vulnerable Sector Verifications is available on the RCMP Web site: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cr-cj/vulner/index-eng.htm.

Information:
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657

Date modified:

2015-11-26