Criminal-record checks will be processed online

By Kate Shumakova and Lashaina Blair-White

BELLEVILLE – People who need a criminal record check now will be able to apply for it online locally.

Belleville police will offer the service on its website on Nov. 24 . It will require applicants to enter their identification and the site offers a number of payment options – credit card or Interac bank transfer. It will also allow applicants to track their applications. When the criminal record check is completed, it will be mailed to the applicant. If you file for a criminal record and your gender and date of birth match an offender, they must go into a police station and do a Venerable Sector Screening, a specialize process. The screening involves a finger print screening, which will help to identify whether your finger print matches the offender. If you are volunteering for a position that involves the elderly, young, disadvantaged or those at risk, you can receive the Venerable Sector screening for free.

The Belleville Police Service will continue to accept paper applications at its office from Monday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. However, they encourage everyone to use the new online system by offering a $10 discount.

Costs to apply online vs attending in person