A Police Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) is mandatory for student placements. It includes a search of police involvement (CPIC) and a search for any sexual offence convictions for which an individual has received a pardon. The University reserves the right to revoke admission offers and/or registration at any time based on the results of the VSS.
Police vulnerable sector screening
A Police Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) is mandatory for student placements. It includes a search of police involvement (CPIC) and a search for any sexual offence convictions for which an individual has received a pardon. The University reserves the right to revoke admission offers and/or registration at any time based on the results of the VSS.
Students who are doing placements for academic credit towards their University of Ottawa degree may receive assistance from our department to apply for a police check. If you require a police check for potential employment or licensing you must seek assistance from your potential employer or licensing body.
The only organizations authorized to conduct a VSS are local police services.
Requirements
Your police check must cover your last five years of residency. This includes a VSS or equivalent for every country in which you have lived in for a period of six consecutive months or longer during the last five years.
Therefore, if you currently live or have lived overseas during the last five years, you must provide us the name of the country or countries visited, including the exact dates (from mth/yr to mth/yr), to determine your police check requirements at your program advisor.
Processing time
The processing time to obtain a VSS may vary between 2 TO 12 WEEKS, depending on the police service. To avoid any delays, we recommend that you apply several weeks in advance in order to provide us the original VSS document by your deadline. Failure to provide the original VSS document by your deadline may prevent you from starting or continuing your placement.
How to request a VSS
Contact your local police service to apply for a VSS. The final results must be digitally secured. Procedures, pricing, and processing time to obtain a VSS vary for each police service. Please carefully read the information listed below. If your city is not listed, please refer to their website for further information.
Procedures to obtain a VSS for different cities
Gatineau
You need a form provided by the University. To obtain the form, email your faculty contact with two pieces of ID and proof of address.
Montreal
Consult theService de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) website for details on how to apply.
Ottawa
Consult theOttawa Police Service website for details on how to apply.
You must choose to receive your police check electronically to meet your requirements. Just ensure to forward us the initial email from the Ottawa Police Service with the attached final results.
If you apply in person or receive your police check by mail, you will need to provide us the original paper document embossed with seal to meet your requirements.
Also note: A uOttawa letterhead will not be required as it is strictly for volunteer purposes. If you apply online, you must check off "other" and not "volunteer" as your reason of request to proceed to the next level.
Ontario Provincial Police
Please request a letter from your faculty contact and be sure to provide your full name, including any middle names or initials, your program of study, your student number, your date of birth, and the name of your local OPP detachment. You can then apply directly with the Ontario Provincial Police.
Toronto
Please request a form from your faculty contact. You must then complete the form and send it to the Toronto Police Serviceto be processed.