Police Information Checks now available online

MEDIA UPDATE:

Lethbridge residents who require a Police Information Check (PIC) can now apply online.

The online service, available through the LPS website – lethbridgepolice.ca – will provide most residents with a more convenient option to complete and submit forms 24/7 without attending the police station. 

All aspects of the process, including verification of identity, payment and access to the results, will be managed electronically. If there are no concerns or follow-up required, applicants will be able to securely download their PIC certificate.

Although it won’t entirely replace the in-person process, the ability to submit PICs online is anticipated to significantly reduce the need for residents to attend the station. 

In-person applications will still be required in the following circumstances:

• Applicants who fail the identity authentication process
• Applicants who don’t have access to a computer
• Applicants who don’t have at least one year’s worth of credit history (which is required to confirm identity during the authentication process)
• Applicants under the age of 18 who are applying for employment and/or volunteer positions with the municipal, provincial or federal governments (minors must also attend with a parent or guardian)

Further, in cases where the PIC returns a result that requires fingerprinting, the applicant must attend the police station in person to complete the process.

All PIC applicants, with the exceptions listed above, are asked to apply online. The process begins with the creation of a secure account, followed by a series of timed questions to authenticate identity. Once identity has been confirmed, applicants will complete the necessary forms, provide payment and submit their application. If no follow-up – such as fingerprinting – is required, applicants will receive an email with instructions on how to securely download their PIC certificate.

Online/in-person PIC applications for employment purposes cost $75.45 and volunteer applications are $15.45 including tax and service fees. Processing time for both online and in-person applications is at least 10 business days depending on the volume of requests at the time of service.