March 1, 2022
White Butte, Saskatchewan
After a six month pilot program for online criminal record checks, the Alberta RCMP will be ending the pilot effective March 6, 2022. The pilot of the tool began in the fall of 2021 in select detachments across the province, and at the White Butte Detachment in Saskatchewan, in an effort to provide an option for efficient access to the public.
Although this online criminal record check pilot tool will no longer be utilized, there have been several key points of learning throughout the six-month pilot period. These technical and logistical insights will prove useful when the RCMP explores using other tools in the future to increase service efficiency for its clients.
To obtain a criminal record check, the public may visit their local detachment or visit the RCMP website at https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/criminal-record-checks for more information.
–30–
Backgrounder
Online criminal record checks are now available to residents of communities served by the White Butte RCMP. In an effort to provide a simpler, more efficient public service, Alberta RCMP launched a pilot last week to test the tool in 12 communities across their province. The pilot was extended across the border to include one Saskatchewan RCMP detachment as well.
Many employers and volunteer organizations require a record check of some kind. The most common are criminal record checks or Vulnerable Sector Checks (VSC). A criminal record check is obtained to determine if a person has been charged or convicted of a crime. A VSC is a police information check that is done to protect children and other vulnerable people from physical, sexual, mental, and financial abuse. A VSC is the most thorough of all background checks available. Vulnerable sector checks are often required for people working or volunteering with vulnerable persons i.e. children, medical patients, the elderly. Be sure to discuss with your employer or volunteer organization which one you need. Both criminal record check and VSC applications are available with this online tool.
The turnaround time for online criminal record checks is anticipated to be between seven and 14 days and will be mailed to the applicant.
At this time, online criminal record checks are only available to residents of communities served by the White Butte RCMP. Criminal record checks will continue to be available in person at all Saskatchewan RCMP Detachment locations, including White Butte.
If you wish to see a full list of communities served by the White Butte RCMP or if you are a resident in their detachment area wishing to apply for a criminal record check online, visit: https://rcmp.policesolutions.ca/checks/services/rcmpsk-whitebutte/
For more details and information about criminal record checks, visit the Government of Canada website at https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/criminal-record-checks
