Calgary Police Check

Last updated: July 9, 2026

There’s a variety of reasons individuals may be required to obtain police information checks in Calgary, Alberta.

Most commonly, police checks are needed for pre-employment screening. An employer may request an assessment to evaluate the risk posed by prospective employees.

In particular, employers want to ensure safe environments for vulnerable or special needs populations. These can include the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities.

Here at Instant Record Check, we want to make sure you’re prepared. We’ve got all the information you need to know about police information checks in Calgary, AB.

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What Is a Calgary Police Information Check

A Calgary Police Information Check (PIC) is also known as a:

• Security Clearance
• RCMP Background Check
• Police Clearance
• Criminal Check
• Name Check
• Background Check
• Vulnerable Sector Search

The findings are provided to the person requesting for the police clearance through a Calgary Police Service certificate letter.

Information disclosed includes:

• Canada-wide criminal record history
• Police history — local police information and Alberta provincial court records
• Vulnerable sector records
• Canadian criminal real-time identification, fingerprints application, fingerprints Canada post

Applying through the Calgary Police portal

Last updated July 9, 2026

Calgary Police Service takes online applications through the Police Solutions portal, which went live for processing on June 24, 2026 and replaced the older ePIC system. The portal collects your ID, verifies your identity electronically, and takes payment.

You need two pieces of valid identification, one of them photo ID: a driver's licence, passport, Alberta photo ID card, permanent resident card, and similar government documents all qualify. Identity verification runs electronically. If the system cannot confirm who you are, you have to finish the application in person at Westwinds headquarters, 5111 47 Street NE.

CPS charges $75 for a standard check, $25 for volunteers and unpaid practicum students with a letter from their organization dated within six months, and $80 for residents outside Alberta. Fees are non-refundable and include tax. Payment is by Visa, MasterCard, Amex, or debit.

CPS does not publish a fixed turnaround for standard checks; plan for a couple of weeks, longer during busy periods. If you need results sooner, an online criminal record check through Instant Record Check searches the same RCMP and CPIC data and usually comes back in about 15 minutes, from $59.97. See current pricing.

Police Information Check Unit

Here’s a list of police information check units where you can obtain your records in Calgary:

Types of Police Information Record Checks

Calgary Police Service provides five types of Police Checks: two private background checks and three Calgary Police Service checks.

Private Background Checks

These checks are only conducted by private fingerprint agencies.

You need to use an accredited fingerprint agency for the following two checks:

48-Hour Name Check

48-Hour Name Checks involve a search of the RCMP database. The police register the majority of convictions in this database. It is a criminal record background check.

Instead of searching the local criminal record database, police do a quick RCMP search. These checks are only based on the applicant’s birth date and name.

The results can be:

• No criminal record found.
• A criminal record is found. In this case, the individual has to submit fingerprints for the record to be verified.

This kind of police information check has certain risks for the employer if:

• The employee has not listed all of their names.
• The local police have made a mistake when entering the applicant information. This includes mistakes when registering or searching for a conviction.

As a result, one may have a criminal record, but the results from a criminal record check could be showing negative. Similarly, the 48-hour check will not show the types of convictions for which one has been pardoned. 

This type of search is not suitable in disclosing if there is a criminal record, it only shows the fact that there could be a criminal record that has not been verified using fingerprint services. The person in question may not have a criminal record. Instead, someone else with a similar date of birth or name may be having a criminal record. With this criminal record check, an employer could easily conclude that their employee has a criminal record. To prove one has a criminal record they have to be fingerprinted. Fingerprinting is the only reliable way to establish a criminal record or accessing a criminal record. For this reason, few companies would rely on 48-hour check screening.

Fingerprint Based Search

The applicant has their fingerprints taken electronically via a fingerprinting agency. Following, these are sent to the RCMP in Ottawa.

This search only reveals convictions shown in the RCMP database.

A fingerprint search is obligatory for individuals needing checks for these purposes:

• Waivers
• Immigration
• Record Suspensions
• Licensing

Note: Calgary Police doesn’t have fingerprinting services unless fingerprints are needed for a Vulnerable Sector Search. Instead, you’ll need to find a certified fingerprinting agency.

Calgary Police Service Checks

Calgary service can conduct three kinds of checks.

Local Police Check for Record Suspension

If you want to get a Record Suspension, two kinds of police information checks have to be done.

First, you have to complete a fingerprint-based search above.

Once you have obtained the RCMP Criminal Record check, submit it together with a Record Suspension Application form to the police.

The Calgary Police Service will complete a report, which can include:

• Pending charges
• Convictions not shown in the RCMP database
• Other police issues — speeding tickets, peace disturbances, etc.
• Charges that didn’t end in convictions

Criminal Check done by the Calgary Police

This is a new kind of check done by the Calgary police. Upon completion, they give a criminal record check printout to the applicant.

This report will show what’s on your criminal record. You’ll have to wait up to 10 days to get the report.

The search is also done based on your name and birth date, without any fingerprints needed.

Note: this police information check is not valid for:

• Waivers
• Immigration
• Record Suspension
• Licensing
• Majority of employment purposes

Vulnerable Sector Search

A vulnerable sector search is required for applicants who will work or volunteer with children, seniors, or persons with disabilities. It covers everything in a standard check plus a query of the pardoned sex offender database.

In Calgary, the search costs $25 and must go through Calgary Police Service; no online provider can process one. With no fingerprint match, results take about two weeks. If your gender and date of birth match a record in the pardoned offences database, CPS asks for fingerprints and manual verification, which can take 120 days or more. Fingerprinting for the search is free with a volunteer letter and $25 for paid positions.

Many roles that mention "working with people" only need a standard criminal record check or an Enhanced CRC. Check the request letter: if it does not name the vulnerable sector, an online check usually covers it. Our guide to vulnerable sector checks in Canada explains the difference.

In case you aren’t sure which Police information check is right for you, don’t hesitate to contact Instant Record Check. Our experts are ready to answer all of your questions.

Calgary Police Check Locations

You may not need to get your record check done in a physical location in Calgary. Contact Instant Record Check – we provide services that cover the entirety of Canada and would love to take care of your criminal record needs.

Calgary Police vs. Online: Which Is Right for You?

For most Calgarians, an online criminal record check through Instant Record Check is the fastest and most convenient option. Both IRC and Calgary Police search the same RCMP/CPIC database — the difference is speed, cost, and convenience:

• Instant Record Check (online) — CRC from $59.97, CRJMC from $66.97. Results typically in minutes. Apply from anywhere, 24/7. No appointment needed.
• Calgary Police Service (in-person) — $75 for employment/immigration/adoption, $25 for volunteers with a letter from their organization, $80 for out-of-province residents. Located at Westwinds HQ, 5111 47 St NE. Open Mon-Wed & Fri 7:30am-4pm, Thu 10am-4pm. Calgary Police also offers online applications through their portal.

The only reason to go in person is if you specifically need a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC), which requires fingerprinting and cannot be done online through any provider. For standard CRC or CRJMC checks, IRC delivers the same RCMP-based results faster and without the trip to Westwinds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Pages

• Criminal Record Check Canada
• Types of Background Checks in Canada
• Online Criminal Record Check

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