A 35 year-old Regina male will face a charge of using a forged document in a Regina court next month. In this incident, the document in question is a Criminal Record Check, made to appear as if it was issued by the Regina Police Service.
Every year, the Regina Police Service, like other municipal police services is asked to conduct criminal record checks for individuals who are volunteering to coach youth sports teams or help in schools. Many employers also request a criminal record check from prospective employees to ensure they have not committed criminal offences in the past. This is especially important in situations where an adult has authority over, or close proximity to, persons who are vulnerable because of youth, advanced age, or disability. In 2021, the Regina Police Service received more than 18,700 applications for Criminal Record Checks. Criminal Record Check letters are never e-mailed to applicants, but rather issued by RPS on Regina Police Service letterhead with a watermark. Any business or organization requiring Criminal Record Checks should always ask volunteers and job applicants to submit the original document, rather than a scanned document sent electronically.
In this case, a non-profit organization contacted the Regina Police Service on December 15, 2021, because they suspected a criminal record check letter, that appeared to have been issued by the Regina Police Service, had been altered. The document was submitted by a person applying for employment with the non-profit organization, which provides residential support services to people with intellectual disabilities. Investigation into this suspicion, confirmed that the document was fraudulent. A 35 year-old male was arrested on January 11, 2022. He was released on an appearance notice to attend court on February 22, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. At that time, he will be charged with Using a Forged Document, contrary to section 368(1)(a) of the Criminal Code. His name will not be released before the court appearance.