Police Record Searches
The Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office, as a rights protection agency, is concerned with what is in our opinion the discriminatory practice of releasing non-criminal information as part of a police reference check. The release of such information can, and often does, have a profoundly negative impact on the ability of our clients to find employment, volunteer opportunities or student placements. For many consumers of mental health services, this practice undermines their ability to pursue life and career goals as responsible citizens.
A police record is different from a criminal record. A criminal record will show any convictions a person has received. A police record may show much more information. For example, a police record is created any time you are actively involved with the police. Even if you have never been charged or convicted of an offense but were questioned by the police there may be a police record. If the police take you to a hospital or if they transfer you between hospitals, there may be a police record.
An employer or a volunteer agency may want you to complete a police and/or criminal record search at the time you are applying for a position. Even if you have been in a position for some time, you may be asked to agree to a records search.
Mental Health Police Records Check Coalition (MHPRC Coalition)
A coalition of stakeholders is working together to end the police's discriminatory practice of releasing non-criminal information, particularly contact with police under the Mental Health Act.
Read our Mission Statement
Be part of the Coalition's efforts
MHPRC Coalition - Questions and Answers
MHPRC Coalition - Members' List
MHPRC Coalition - Petition to Ontario Legislature
MHPRC Coalition - Petition Instructions Package
PPAO InfoGuide
Police Record Searches
Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario
Police Background Check (PDF - opens new window)
Ontario Human Rights Commission
Ontario Human Rights Code - Definition of Disability
Commission Releases Draft Policy on Mental Health Discrimination
and Police Record Checks
MHPRC Coalition - Submission RE: Draft Policy
on Mental Health Discrimination and Police Record Checks
Letters, Submissions and Articles (PDF format)
(each link opens a new browser window)
- Criminal Record: The stain that won't go away - Toronto Star - July 22, 2008
- Some things best kept off the record - St. Thomas Times-Journal - March 7, 2008
- Fair policy a long time in coming - Toronto Star - Feb 20, 2008
- Letter to Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police - Jan 17, 2008
- Letter to Wm. Blair, President, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police - November 28, 2007
- Tadros - Reasons for Judgement, Ontario Superior Court of Justice - October 5, 2007
- Police Background Checks - Balancing Public Safety, Security and Privacy - OBA Privacy Law Review: Eye on Privacy - August, 2007
- Probing members: Liaison Committee to be subjected to police checks - XTRA! - June 7, 2007
- Nasty surprises in police records - Toronto Star - April 23, 2007
- Police reference checks may reveal more than you think - XTRA! Magazine - March 29, 2007
- OHRC Letter to Chief Terry McLaren, Peterborough-Lakefield Community Police Service - Jan 22, 2007
- Ontario Human Rights Commission Letter to Chief Terry McLaren, President, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police - Jan 19, 2007
- Letter to Ernie Parsons, Chair, Standing Committee on Social Policy - Jan 18, 2007
- Letter + Report from Ann Cavoukian, Information and Privacy Commissioner - Dec 6, 2006
- Letter from Toronto Police Service, Records Management Services - Nov 28, 2006
- Letter from Monte Kwinter, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services - Nov 14, 2006
- Information and Privacy Commissioner: Privacy Complaint Report - Toronto Police Services Board - Nov 2, 2006
- CLASP Deputation to Toronto Police Services Board -
Jul 10, 2006 - CLASP Submission to Toronto Police Services Board -
Apr 28, 2006 - Network Magazine article on police records - Fall 2006
- Letter to Monte Kwinter, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services - Oct 12, 2006
- Letter to Ann Cavoukian, Information & Privacy Commissioner - Oct 12, 2006
- Letter from Toronto Police Services Board - Aug 25, 2006
- Letter from Jacquelin Pegg, OHRC - Aug 15, 2006
- Deputation to Toronto Police Services Board - Jul 10, 2006
- Letter to Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall, OHRC - Jun 14, 2006
- Letter from Robert Runciman - Feb 24, 2003
- Letter to Robert Runciman, Minister of Public Safety & Security - Dec 31, 2002
- Letter from Keith Norton - Dec 31, 2002
- Letter to Chief Commisioner Keith Norton, OHRC - Oct 28, 2002
