High demand for online police record checks is leading to longer wait times, prompting the Ontario Provincial Police to share guidance for applicants.
The Ontario Provincial Police are reminding residents all record checks must be completed through the online application system and are not processed at local detachments.
The OPP offers four types of record checks: Criminal Record Checks, Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Checks, Vulnerable Sector Checks and Non-Parent Custody Checks. Applicants are guided through a short questionnaire to ensure they select the appropriate option.
Police say high demand, particularly for Vulnerable Sector Checks, may result in processing delays. Applications are handled in the order received, and expedited services are not available. Applicants are encouraged to monitor processing timelines online, which are updated several times a week.
The OPP says improvements are underway to reduce backlogs and urges the public to direct record check questions to the designated support line rather than non-emergency police services.
