Need a Criminal Record Check?

While it’s true that in many cases a Criminal Record Check check is all you need, it’s best to make sure before ordering this check. One key difference is that the Criminal Record Check check uses CCRTIS and the National Repository of Criminal Records to see whether anything comes up under your name and date of birth – but does NOT use fingerprints.

If you require a background check that uses fingerprints, it’s the RCMP Certified check that you want. We’re happy to discuss your circumstances with you to determine which check is right for you.

Because it doesn’t use fingerprints, the Criminal Record Check check is the fastest criminal background check in Canada. This process uses your name and date of birth to see whether there are any criminal records or charges pending.

It is acceptable for many circumstances, especially for employment screening – and that fast response can make a big difference in getting hired.

The premium Criminal Record Check check is a more thorough background check. It includes charges before the courts, warrants and discharges.

Even if you are living abroad, you can still get your Criminal Record Check. The RCMP does not directly process criminal record checks for individuals residing abroad. Individuals looking to receive a Criminal Record Check check from outside Canada must contact an accredited company such as Reliability Screening to have their record check processed.

Ontario

In Ontario, there are generally three levels of police checks:

• Criminal Record Check (CRC): The most basic check that involves a search for criminal convictions. This level is often adequate for positions that are not working closely with vulnerable populations.
• Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC): This is an enhanced check that includes not only criminal convictions but also pending charges and some judicial orders. This type of check is more common for jobs where a more thorough background verification is required.
• Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC): This is the most comprehensive check, generally required for individuals who will be working with vulnerable populations, such as children, seniors, or individuals with disabilities. It includes all the information from a CRJMC and checks for any record suspensions (formerly known as pardons) for sexual offenses.

Employers usually state which level of check is required for a specific job. The applicant generally has to be a resident of the municipality where they apply for the check. They must provide consent and may need to appear in person.

Quebec

In Quebec, the process is somewhat similar but with terminological differences. For example:

• Verification of Judicial Record: This is akin to a Criminal Record Check and provides information on any criminal convictions where a pardon has not been granted.
• Extended Judicial Record Verification: More detailed than a simple verification, it may include additional non-conviction information depending on the purpose of the check.
• PLUMITIF: Unlike other provinces, Quebec offers what is called a PLUMITIF, which is a record of court decisions. However, interpreting a PLUMITIF accurately usually requires specialized knowledge.

A Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) is a specialized type of background screening that offers an enhanced level of scrutiny beyond a basic criminal record check. In a landscape where transparency, safety, and regulatory compliance are paramount, a CRJMC serves as an essential tool for employers, organizations, and regulatory bodies to make informed decisions.

Criminal Convictions

A CRJMC will disclose any criminal convictions where a pardon has not been granted. This encompasses a wide range of offenses, including but not limited to theft, assault, and more severe crimes.

Pending Charges and Arrests

Unlike a basic criminal record check, a CRJMC will include information about any pending charges and arrests. This data is particularly useful for organizations that need a more complete picture of an applicant’s legal status.

Judicial Orders

In addition to convictions and pending matters, a CRJMC includes judicial orders such as peace bonds, probation, and prohibition orders. This information can be crucial when assessing a candidate’s eligibility for certain roles, especially those involving trust or the care of vulnerable populations.

Absolute and Conditional Discharges

CRJMCs will typically include absolute discharges for one year and conditional discharges for three years, providing a broader scope of an individual’s interactions with the legal system.

Enhanced Risk Management

A CRJMC allows your organization to take proactive steps in risk management by comprehensively assessing the backgrounds of potential employees or associates.

Regulatory Compliance

For industries where regulatory requirements mandate in-depth background checks—such as healthcare, childcare, or government contracting—a CRJMC fulfills, and often exceeds, compliance standards.

Trust and Integrity

By employing a rigorous background screening process, your organization underscores its commitment to trust, integrity, and public safety, thereby enhancing its reputation and credibility.

At RSSI, we understand that handling sensitive personal information requires the utmost caution. We adhere to stringent security protocols, leveraging state-of-the-art encryption technologies to ensure data privacy and integrity. Rest assured, your CRJMC process with us is confidential, secure, and compliant with Canadian data protection laws.

Search and Reporting Methodology

Our role in the CRJMC process is to conduct a thorough search based on the information provided, typically including full name and date of birth. Post-search, we categorize individuals into one of two tiers:

• Clear: No judicial matters were found under the name and details given. This suggests that the individual has a clean background according to the scope of CRJMC.
• Further Verification Required: Our search has found records that necessitate a more exhaustive, usually fingerprint-based, verification.

Limitations and Ethical Considerations

It’s important to understand that the name-based CRJMCs we offer are an initial step in background verification. While highly informative and reliable for most use-cases, these checks are not definitive due to the limitations of name-based searches. As a responsible agency, we do not provide detailed reports from name-based CRJMCs to mitigate the risk of disclosing incorrect information. Our service aims to indicate whether a deeper level of scrutiny is advised.

Confidentiality and Data Security

We adhere to stringent protocols for handling sensitive data, ensuring its confidentiality and security. The results of our CRJMC are communicated in a manner that upholds the privacy and integrity of all parties involved, fully compliant with Canadian privacy laws.