‘On the Record’ Workshop Series: Spreading the word about police record checks
Police records present numerous barriers for individuals who have had past police contact or justice involvement and who are attempting to find employment, housing and even treatment. Traditionally in Ontario non-conviction and police contact records have been routinely disclosed on police record checks – including information from non-criminal calls to 9-1-1, apprehensions under the Mental Health Act, suspect or person of interest designations, and charges that resulted in withdrawal, acquittal or other non-conviction dispositions.
The On the Record series aims to provide helpful information, tailored to two audiences:
- Those who help or work with people who may be impacted by police records (i.e. direct social service providers, legal/court professionals, government etc.) and,
- Those who use police record checks in hiring or volunteer screening – HR professionals, Volunteer Organizations/Coordinators and Employers.
The workshop, delivered by Laura Berger of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and Graham Brown of the John Howard Society of Ontario, will provide:
- An overview the overlapping legal and policy frameworks governing police record checks in Ontario, including the different types police records, police databases and police record checks available in the province.
- A summary of research results that give insight into how police records, and in particular non-conviction records, are impacting individuals in a wide range of non-criminal processes.
Employers and HR professionals will also receive information regarding:
- Best practices around the use of police record checks in hiring.
- How to know when to request a police record check, and how to determine what level of check is necessary, and how to understand a positive police record check; and,
- Tips for ensuring that human resource policies and practices are compliant with privacy rights and human rights.
This series is funded through a grant from the Law Foundation of Ontario.
To request a workshop or for more information please contact Shusein@johnhowardon.ca
