A Vulnerable Sector Check is intended for individuals seeking employment or volunteer opportunities with vulnerable persons. A vulnerable person is defined as a person who, because of their age, a disability, or other circumstances, whether temporary or permanent, are (a) in a position of dependence on others or (b) are otherwise at a greater risk than the general population of being harmed by person(s) in a position of authority or trust to them.
A Vulnerable Sector Check is typically used for the following types of positions and student placements:
- Teachers
- Elder Care
- Daycare
- Coaches
- Nurses
A Vulnerable Sector Check will provide the following information:
- Criminal convictions summary or indictable from CPIC and/or local databases
- Findings of guilt under the Youth Criminal Justice Act within the applicable disclosure period
- Outstanding entries, such as charges and warrants, judicial orders, peace bonds, probation and prohibition orders
- Absolute and conditional discharges
- Charges that resulted in a finding of not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder
- Pardoned offences authorized under the Criminal Records Act
- Non-conviction information authorized through Exceptional Disclosure
Who Can Apply?
- Only residents of Toronto (your postal code beginning with “M”) can obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check with the Toronto Police Service
- The individual can only apply through a registered agency to the Police Reference Check Program, and must obtain the form from their agency’s representative. This consent form is also available in French upon request from the registered agency
How to Apply
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Obtain a copy of the Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) form from your agency (sample form in English / French )
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Ensure the form is printed on legal sized paper – it will not be accepted in any other format or size
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Ensure the entire form is completed in full and signed by yourself and designated agency contact person
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Payment must be attached to your VSC by either yourself or your agency.
VSC Employment Applications - $65 / Volunteer or Student Applications - $20. No charge for anyone under the age of 18.
Certified cheques, Business cheques and Money Orders are accepted forms of payment and must be made payable to the Toronto Police Service. Personal cheques are not accepted. -
You may bring the completed form with payment to Toronto Police Headquarters, 40 College St., to the Information Access Counter in the lobby, from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. A dropbox is located between the Info Access Counter and The 808 Gift Shop. Waivers will not be accepted at the counter.
or mail to:
Toronto Police Service
Attn: Information Access
40 College Street, 4th Floor
Toronto, ON
M5G 2J3
Processing Times
As of March 27, 2023, we are currently processing applications:
- Criminal Record Checks received on March 22, 2023
- Criminal Record & Judicial Matters Checks received on March 24, 2023
- Vulnerable Sector Screenings received on March 23, 2023
Forms
Consent to Disclosure (English)
Consent to Disclosure (French)
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Vulnerable Sector Fingerprint Requirements
Per RCMP policy, the requirement of providing your fingerprints is mandatory whenever the GENDER and DATE OF BIRTH of the applicant matches to an existing pardoned sexual offence record.
This is not an accusation of criminality, but is required to verify the person’s identity and to protect personal privacy.
If there is a match of your gender and date of birth to an individual on the pardoned sex offender registry, the Police Reference Check unit will send you a letter indicating you must set up an appointment to have your fingerprints taken at our Toronto Police Service Headquarters location. The process to have fingerprints taken with the Toronto Police Service can be completed in roughly 30 minutes. The Toronto Police Service will submit your fingerprints to the RCMP for verification on your behalf.
The RCMP indicates when there is a match to a criminal record; the wait time for results can take up to 120 days. To check the status of your fingerprints, please contact the RCMP.
The Toronto Police Service is billed by the RCMP for every electronic fingerprint submission. The fee for this process is $25.00 (this administrative fee does not apply to individuals under the age of 18). Payment can be made by Debit, Credit Card, Certified Cheque, or Money Order made payable to the Toronto Police Service. If you are a volunteer, and can provide a letter from your agency indicating you are participating in a bona-fide volunteer position, the RCMP will waive the mandated $25.00 fee.
The RCMP will require you to follow this process with every new Vulnerable Sector Screening application you make. The Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Service destroys fingerprint submissions when the search is completed and verification is made. The results of your verification are never retained.
Further information on the RCMP policy is available on their website here.
Vulnerable Sector Check
Fingerprint Requirements Reconsideration for Non-Conviction Records How to Become a Registered AgencyFrequently Asked Questions
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Can I come into TPS Headquarters (HQ) to apply for an Expedited Vulnerable Sector Check (Level 3)?
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Can I submit a Vulnerable Sector Screen Check through the mail?
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How do I apply for a Vulnerable Sector Check?
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Where do I get the application for the vulnerable sector check?
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Can I come to Headquarters at 40 College Street to pay for the Vulnerable Sector Check?
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How long will it take to process my application?
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How can I pay?
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I put an application in and I haven't heard back.
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Can I re-use a Vulnerable Sector Check when applying for another position or would I need to repeat the entire process?
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Are Vulnerable Sector Check results issued in French? Les vérifications des sector vulnerables sont-elles disponibles en Français?
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Can a background check be scanned and emailed to the Reference Check Program?
Resources
Hate the Hate -- Report the Crime
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Contact Information Access
Information Access Service Counter Open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding statutory holidays.
HQ Drop Box for completed Vulnerable Sector Applications (and any required payment) open Monday – Friday, 7:00am to 5:00pm, excluding statutory holidays.
Key Contacts
- Police Reference Check Program (PRCP) Information Line – 416-808-7991
- PRCP section can be reached Monday/Wednesday/Friday
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 416-808-8244, excluding statutory holidays - Vulnerable Sector Check Status Update Line – 416-808-8253
- Confirmation letter/Accident (MVA)/Occurrence/Lost (or stolen) Passport Inquiry Line: 416-808-8240 (answered live Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding statutory holidays)
Email: [email protected]
