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Law and policy: Criminal Records Review Program

Last updated on January 31, 2024

Learn about laws and policies that apply to the Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP).

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Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA)

The Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA) applies to certain types of organizations in B.C. These organizations must ensure that people who work with vulnerable adults or children under 19 complete a criminal record check through the Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP). 

Policies

Vulnerable sector check

The vulnerable sector check is a federally mandated standard set by the national RCMP.

Fingerprints

Federal RCMP policy explains when fingerprints are required for a criminal record check.

Identity verification

Federal RCMP policy requires that an applicants' identity must be verified before a criminal record check.

Applicants need 2 pieces of ID, either:

  • 2 pieces of primary ID
  • One piece of primary ID and one piece of secondary ID

It must be:

  • In its original form
  • Valid
  • Not expired

Primary ID

Primary ID must be government issued. It must include the applicant's:

  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Signature
  • Photo

Examples of primary ID:

Secondary ID

Many types of ID are accepted as secondary ID.

  • School Identification Card (student card)
  • Bank card 
  • Credit card 
  • Birth certificate (a baptismal certificate is not acceptable)
  • Canadian or U.S. driver's licence
  • NEXUS card
  • Canadian Forces identification
  • Foreign Affairs Canada or consular identification
  • Picture employee ID card
  • BC Services Card (with or without photo)
  • Secure Certificate of Indian Status
  • Student, work, visitor or temporary resident permit
  • Foreign passport 

Definitions

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Conviction

Conditional discharges, alternative measures and recognizances in accordance with section 810 of the Criminal Code  

 

Non-conviction information

  • When someone was suspected of an offence but charges were never laid
  • When charges were approved but proceedings were staid and the deadline to reopen them has passed
 

Outstanding charge

A charge or an application that has not yet resulted in a conviction, acquittal or order by the court  

 

Police information check (PIC)

A comprehensive check by name and date of birth of:

  • Police agency's records management system
  • Queries of the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC)
  • Investigative and Intelligence databanks
  • Search for court records
  • Query of records management systems in other police jurisdictions

A PIC is also known as a police certificate, background check, record check, or reference check.

To help police use a common approach to criminal record checks, the Police Information Check (PIC) Guidelines were developed. The guidelines explain the type of information police should or should not release about the findings of a PIC. The BC Association of Chiefs of Police has endorsed the guidelines. 

 

Vulnerable sector check

A vulnerable sector check is a police information check plus a check to see if a person has outstanding charges or record suspensions (pardons) for sexual offences.

 

Charge

An accusation of a crime

 

Record suspension

A record suspension allows someone to have their criminal record kept separate and apart from other criminal records.