THUNDER BAY -- The city police service is working to find a more efficient system for processing criminal background checks.
Thunder Bay Police Service deputy chief Andy Hay said the force conducts more than 6,000 searches per year, with the average wait time being anywhere from one to three months.
That can be a problem for people who need them for a specific, time sensitive purpose.
“It’s a little frustrating for the community when they’re looking for a criminal records check and it takes that long. A lot of the time employment or volunteer opportunities are jeopardized by that,” Hay said.
“We’re exploring the possibility of going to an online version so a citizen can apply online, make a payment online and receive it online.”
An online system would also increase accessibility, with people not being limited to business hours and having the ability to start the process for home.
The most extensive checks are vulnerable sector searches, which are for people in a position of authority working with children, elderly or disabled.
That is compounded for people who have lived outside of Thunder Bay within the past five years, as the check would also have to be conducted by that community’s police service.
Long wait times and frustration are not just limited to Thunder Bay.
“Every place in the country is paralyzed by this process,” he said. “Everybody else is also looking at solutions and the online solution seems to be one that has some feasibility for us.”
A report regarding the matter is expected to be presented at the next scheduled police services board meeting in January.
Hay said, if approved, a pilot project could be up and running by the end of spring 2015.
