To get a Record Suspension (formerly a pardon) in Alberta, you must obtain a Local Police Records Check from the Calgary Police Service if you have lived there within the last five years. The process currently costs $80 CAD, takes about 2 to 6 weeks, and is a mandatory step before the Parole Board of Canada will review your application.
Applying for a federal Record Suspension in Canada is a powerful step towards a fresh start. Having a criminal record can hold you back from volunteering, securing housing, or landing your dream job. However, the federal government requires you to prove that you have lived a law-abiding life in your community since your sentence ended. If you live in Calgary, Alberta, this means you must interact directly with the local authorities to verify your good conduct.
A critical piece of the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) application is the Local Police Records Check (LPRC). 📍 Whether you reside in downtown Calgary, Edmonton, or Red Deer, you must submit this specific federal form to the police service responsible for the jurisdiction where you have lived for the past five years. Navigating the Calgary Police Service (CPS) requires following their specific administrative protocols, as missing a single detail can cause your entire federal application to be rejected.
Step-by-Step Process in Calgary, Alberta
The process of obtaining your Local Police Records Check is strict, but manageable if you follow the correct sequence. Generally, you should not approach the Calgary Police Service until you have completed the initial foundational steps required by the RCMP in Ottawa.
Step 1: Obtain Your RCMP Criminal Record
Before the CPS will even look at your local check, you must have your official RCMP criminal record. 🗂 You achieve this by visiting an accredited fingerprinting agency in Calgary. They will take your biometric fingerprints and send them electronically to the RCMP in Ottawa. A few weeks later, you will receive a certified copy of your criminal record in the mail. This document is required to prove exactly what convictions you need the local police to investigate.
Step 2: Fill Out the PBC Local Police Records Check Form
Next, you must download the official Local Police Records Check form from the Parole Board of Canada website. You must carefully fill out the top section of this form with your current address and previous addresses. You must be completely honest. If you lived in Edmonton for two years and Calgary for three years, you will actually need to complete this step with both the Edmonton Police Service and the Calgary Police Service.
Step 3: Submit the Application to the Calgary Police Service
The Calgary Police Service handles these requests through their Police Information Check (PIC) unit. 👤 You can submit your documents in person at various CPS district offices across the city, or sometimes through their secure online portal. You must bring two pieces of valid, government-issued identification (one must contain a photo). Be sure to bring your RCMP criminal record and the PBC form together.
Step 4: Wait for CPS to Complete the Check
Once submitted, a Calgary Police officer or civilian background checker will run your name through their local databases, including the provincial justice network. They are looking for any recent police interactions, such as mental health calls, domestic disturbances, or summary conviction offences that may not have reached the RCMP level yet. This is strictly to report on your recent behaviour in the community.
Step 5: Collect the Stamped Form and Submit to Ottawa
When the CPS finishes their investigation, they will stamp, sign, and date the bottom portion of your PBC form. 📩 You must pick this up or have it mailed to you. Once you have this stamped form, it is only valid for 6 months. You must include this original, signed document in your final Record Suspension package and mail it to the Parole Board of Canada in Ottawa.
How Much Does it Cost in Alberta?
Getting a pardon involves several government fees, and the local police check is just one part of the overall expense. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to pay locally and federally:
- Calgary Police Service Fee: The CPS generally charges $80 CAD to process a Local Police Records Check for a federal Record Suspension.
- RCMP Fingerprinting Fee: Local agencies in Alberta usually charge between $50 and $85 CAD, which includes the $25 federal RCMP processing fee.
- Parole Board of Canada Fee: The final application fee paid directly to the Receiver General for Canada is currently $50 CAD.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Patience is highly required during this legal journey. ⏱ The Calgary Police Service typically takes between 2 to 6 weeks to process and return your Local Police Records Check, depending on their current administrative backlog. Once your entire package is mailed to the Parole Board, standard processing times are 6 months for an offence punishable on summary conviction, and up to 12 months for an indictable offence.
Comparison: Local Police Check vs. RCMP Criminal Record Check
| Feature | Calgary Police Service (LPRC) | RCMP (CPIC Record) |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of Search | Local municipal interactions, non-convictions | National database of formal convictions |
| How to Obtain | Visit a local CPS station with forms | Submit biometric fingerprints via an agency |
| What they Provide | A signed PBC form verifying local conduct | A certified printout of your criminal convictions |
| Validity for Pardon | Expires after 6 months | Expires after 6 months |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happens if the CPS finds a speeding ticket?
Standard provincial traffic violations, like a speeding ticket, do not generally impact your eligibility for a federal Record Suspension. The Parole Board is looking for criminal behaviour under the Criminal Code of Canada or the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Do I need a lawyer to submit the Calgary Police check?
No. The Record Suspension process in Canada is designed so that individuals can complete it themselves. However, if your case is complex or you struggle with the paperwork, many applicants choose to hire a local pardons agency or a law firm for guidance.
What if I lived in a rural Alberta town policed by the RCMP?
If you lived in an area without a municipal police force (like certain areas outside Calgary or Edmonton), you must take your Local Police Records Check form to the local RCMP detachment that serves your specific rural jurisdiction.
Will the Calgary Police reject my form if I had a mental health call?
The CPS will not reject your form, but they are required to note all police contacts on the paperwork sent to the Parole Board. The PBC assesses these incidents on a case-by-case basis to determine if you meet the criteria for good conduct.
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