Frequently Asked Questions

We strive to process Police Information Checks as soon as possible. If the applicant has had little to no police contact, usual processing time is within five business days (see below for exceptions). Results are emailed or mailed to the applicant – all dependent on how you chose to receive your results .

At times, factors beyond the control of Port Moody Police Department may adversely affect processing time. For example, if a person with the same name and date of birth as the applicant has had police contact in other jurisdictions, we cannot complete the Police Information Check until each of those jurisdictions has responded to us. This response time can vary from days to weeks and is not within our control. In addition, at certain times of year, the volume of applications is very high and turnaround time will increase.

Applicants must present two pieces of identification (one primary and one secondary) at the time of application:

Primary – all must be current and have a photo likeness of the applicant:

• Drivers Licence
• BC Services Card
• BC Identification
• Passport
• Citizenship Card
• Military Identification Card
• Status Card

Secondary:

• Other government issued cards (e.g. Care Card, Birth Certificate
• Current Student Card

Please note: The BC Services Card (introduced in February 2013) combines the BC Driver’s License and Care Card. The Services Card is considered as one form of ID.

Currently, Port Moody Police Department searches the applicant’s name and date of birth in the following databases:

• Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), including criminal convictions, outstanding warrants for arrest, charges currently before the courts, stays of proceedings, acquittals, dismissed cases, conditional and absolute discharges and, if additional consent is given, sexual offences that have been pardoned
• Police Records Information Management Environment (PRIME)
• LEIP-PIP – outside agencies local records that are on the PRIME system
• PIRS – pre-PRIME police records management database
• Records management systems of police agencies in the jurisdictions in which the applicant has resided in the past 5 years
• JUSTIN – Provincial Court Records

The Police Information Check will not include:

1. Convictions where a record suspension has been granted.
2. Convictions under provincial statutes.
3. Local, adverse police contact.
4. Ministry of Transportation information (PARIS).
5. Special Interest Police (SIP) category of CPIC.
6. Family Court restraining orders.
7. Foreign information.
8. A Vulnerable Sector (VS) Query to ascertain if the applicant has been convicted of and granted a record suspension for any of the sexual offences that are listed in the schedule to the Criminal Records Act (CRA).
9. Any reference to incidents involving mental health contact.
10. Diversions will not be released as police contact and no reference to the occurrence is permitted (CC S. 717.4).
11. Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) information beyond applicable disclosure period.
12. Any reference to contagious diseases.
13. Dispositions including, but not limited to, Stay of Proceedings, Withdrawn, Dismissed, Not Criminally Responsible by Reason of Mental Disorder, Acquittals and Not Guilty findings.

The Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (PIC-VS) will not include:

1. Convictions where a record suspension has been granted (except for sexual offences).
2. Apprehensions under s. 28 of the Mental Health Act, or suicide threats or attempts where there was no harm or threat to others (e.g., no ‘subject of threat or harm to others’).
3. Convictions under provincial statutes unless under exceptional circumstances.
4. BC Motor Vehicle Branch information (PARIS), such as traffic violations or roadside driving suspensions.
5. Suspect information that would hinder an ongoing investigation or where the suspect has not been spoken to may result in the record check being delayed or terminated.
6. Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) information beyond applicable disclosure period.
7. Special Interest Police (SIP) category of CPIC.
8. Information gathered outside formal occurrence reports (i.e. street checks, CAD) except under exceptional circumstances.
9. Any reference to contagious diseases.
10. Victim/Complainant information unless under exceptional circumstances.
11. Information from foreign law enforcement systems.

There are two methods for verification of a Criminal Record; either through the submission of fingerprints or by (self) declaration.

(Self) Declaration of a Criminal Record is a process whereby the Applicant declares their adult criminal convictions to the Police Service in accordance with the CCRTIS Dissemination of Criminal Record Information policy.

Declaration must include:

• All convictions for offences under Federal Law.

Declaration must not include:

• A conviction for which the applicant has received a Record Suspension in accordance with the Criminal Records Act.
• A Finding of Guilt where the applicant was a “young person” under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, however, the RCMP will provide a response if fingerprints are submitted.
• An Absolute or Conditional Discharge, pursuant to section 730 of the Criminal Code.
• An offence for which the applicant was not convicted.
• Any Provincial or Municipal offences.
• Any charges dealt with outside of Canada.

In order to release criminal convictions identified through a name based query, the Police Service must be satisfied that the applicant’s declared criminal record information is a match to their registered criminal record held at the RCMP National Repository of Criminal Records.

A Vulnerable Sector Check is a search for any sexual offences for which a pardon has been granted.

Only if the matter is an emergency incident will the Port Moody Police Department take down the initial details. These details will be immediately conveyed to the appropriate police jurisdiction.

Whether it is an emergency or a non-emergency incident, you should report the details of the matter to the police agency responsible for the area in which the incident occurred. They will take down the details and commence an investigation.

Do not give the caller the audience that they are seeking. Don’t talk to them. You should:

• hang up the phone;
• take your phone off the hook for a few minutes;
• make a log of the call by recording the date, time of the call, and what was said;
• if the calls persist, call the Port Moody Police Department at (604) 461-3456 and a police officer will be in contact with you.

Do not approach the animal and ensure you and others in the immediate area maintain a safe distance. Immediately report the bear sighting to the Port Moody Police Department by dialing 604-461-3456 or calling 9-1-1.

The following tips should be used to discourage bears:

• do not put garbage out until 7 AM on the morning of collection. At all times, keep garbage containers secure by placing them in your garage or shed until the morning of collection;
• remove bird feeders between the months of March and December;
• avoid placing meat, diary or fish products in your compost. To reduce the decomposition odour, regularly place lime over the compost;
• avoid feeding your pets outside between the months of March and December;
• never feed a bear or encourage them in your neighbourhood;
• yell at the bear by saying “hey bear – away bear!” and making loud noises by banging garbage lids, blowing a whistle or honking vehicle horns.

Our Community Policing Section offers several volunteer programs that will give you the opportunity to help in your community. Some of the volunteer programs we offer are: Block Watch, Crime Free Multi-Housing program, Reserve Program, and Speed Watch.

For details on this program, you can call 604-461-3456 and the receptionist will direct you to the appropriate coordinator within our Police Department.

All candidates who are seeking an exciting and diverse career with the Port Moody Police Department, either as a police officer or a civilian employee, must go through a comprehensive application and screening process.

To be considered as a police officer, please see Career Opportunities.

For all civilian employment applications, please submit your resume with a cover letter to:

Office Manager
Port Moody Police Department
3051 St. Johns Street
Port Moody, B.C. V3H 2C4

Parking Bylaw offences should be reported to the City’s Bylaw office.