What does PIC mean in POLICE

A Police Information Check will include any court-ordered findings of guilt and/or criminal convictions for indictable offences, as well as any outstanding charges or warrants related to an individual. Depending on the scope of the check requested, it may also include non-conviction dispositions such as absolute discharges and any other information held by the police service in relation to that individual.

Processing times vary depending on the police service completing the check, however it generally takes approximately 2-4 weeks for results to be returned.

PICs are commonly required when applying for employment, housing and volunteer positions that involve working with vulnerable members of society, such as children or elderly individuals. PICs may also be requested when applying for immigration purposes, security clearances, adoption or foster care services.

No — each police service has their own policies regarding how often they recommend rechecking individuals, however most will advise rechecking every few years for those in continuous roles involving vulnerable people. It's important to contact your local police service directly to determine their policies regarding updating PICs.

No — there are varying levels of disclosure available depending on what is needed by the requesting agency or organization. Some employers may only require a basic criminal record search whereas others may need additional records checks based on their organizational requirements or provincial regulations.