Local volunteers hoping to work with seniors, children and other vulnerable people will now be able to get their vulnerable sector checks quicker, the RCMP has announced.
The RCMP will use a new device known as LiveScan that can electronically send fingerprints to Ottawa of volunteers who share similar names or birth dates to those with a criminal record.
Red Deer RCMP have been using the system since November.
“For vulnerable sector checks, fingerprints are taken and sent electronically so as far as the mail is concerned, there is a reduced lag time for that,” said Sgt. Ken Denbury of the Red Deer RCMP.
“The only time the fingerprints have to be done is when there is question of identity and the date of birth is shared with someone who has a record. That is when volunteers may need to go the extra mile.”
While the LiveScan, a computer program that collects digital fingerprints, is making things quicker, it is also more efficient, Denbury said.
“The system won’t accept smudged fingerprints so the quality is much better,” he said, noting that this administratively helps the RCMP.
“Anytime someone wants to volunteer in the vulnerable sector, they want to provide a service and help, so I can imagine, with the old-fashion way where fingerprints need to be mailed and filed, how frustrating it can be when it takes months and months.”
A vulnerable record check is part of a screening process used by organizations when their employees or volunteers will be working with vulnerable people. It is intended to protect people from sex offenders or other criminals.
The announcement of quicker services is welcome news to Janessa McCormack, Red Deer Youth and Volunteer Centre resource co-ordinator.
“The purpose of vulnerable sector checks are to ensure that appropriate people are volunteering and the more people we can get coming through, the better it is for everyone, the kids, the seniors, everyone in our community,” she said, noting that all the volunteers at the centre are required to get the checks.
Now vulnerable sector checks can be completed within days –– an initiative about making sure people don’t have to wait extended periods before being accepted into a job or volunteer position.
jjones@www.reddeeradvocate.com
The RCMP will use a new device known as LiveScan that can electronically send fingerprints to Ottawa of volunteers who share similar names or birth dates to those with a criminal record.
Red Deer RCMP have been using the system since November.
“For vulnerable sector checks, fingerprints are taken and sent electronically so as far as the mail is concerned, there is a reduced lag time for that,” said Sgt. Ken Denbury of the Red Deer RCMP.
“The only time the fingerprints have to be done is when there is question of identity and the date of birth is shared with someone who has a record. That is when volunteers may need to go the extra mile.”
While the LiveScan, a computer program that collects digital fingerprints, is making things quicker, it is also more efficient, Denbury said.
“The system won’t accept smudged fingerprints so the quality is much better,” he said, noting that this administratively helps the RCMP.
“Anytime someone wants to volunteer in the vulnerable sector, they want to provide a service and help, so I can imagine, with the old-fashion way where fingerprints need to be mailed and filed, how frustrating it can be when it takes months and months.”
A vulnerable record check is part of a screening process used by organizations when their employees or volunteers will be working with vulnerable people. It is intended to protect people from sex offenders or other criminals.
The announcement of quicker services is welcome news to Janessa McCormack, Red Deer Youth and Volunteer Centre resource co-ordinator.
“The purpose of vulnerable sector checks are to ensure that appropriate people are volunteering and the more people we can get coming through, the better it is for everyone, the kids, the seniors, everyone in our community,” she said, noting that all the volunteers at the centre are required to get the checks.
Now vulnerable sector checks can be completed within days –– an initiative about making sure people don’t have to wait extended periods before being accepted into a job or volunteer position.
jjones@www.reddeeradvocate.com