If you are planning to volunteer with your child's school or rec program you may want to obtain your criminal record check early.

Cochrane RCMP, Constable Kary Moore says September is a busy time for crim checks and there are a few things to be aware of. "For criminal record checks, for a volunteer position, we accept them Wednesday's, Thursday's, and Friday's between 9 am and 3 pm. You need to live within the Cochrane RCMP jurisdiction; if you live elsewhere, you need to go and do your criminal record check at your police service or jurisdiction."

Cst. Moore shares while crim checks are only processed during those hours and times, most people find a way to make it work. The person applying for the crim check will need to drop off in person, however, there is an option for someone else to handle the pickup. "You will need to pick it up yourself or you can authorize someone else to do it, but that is the only time someone else can do it but they need to be listed on the form and authorized to pick it up for you."

As far as timing, you should anticipate a two-week wait to receive your authorized volunteer crim check. "There is generally very little wiggle room on the two weeks, we get hundreds and hundreds of criminal record checks every month and September will be very, very busy."

People should note that most organizations/institutions will require a crim check prior to volunteering and Cst. Moore says they expire when you are requested to do another. "It is usually good for the year and if you want to volunteer again next year they will ask you to do another one because you never know what can happen in-between, a lot can happen in a year." 

For Cochrane town residents, you can expect to be billed a $10 fee while rural residents are free of charge. 

Lastly, Constable Moore states come prepared with the following items:

  • a volunteer letter of request from the school or organization
  • two pieces of government-issued ID,  one with a photo and one with your current physical address
  • $10 fee if it applies