Criminal Record Checks

Red River College Polytechnic has a responsibility to ensure students are aware of their program requirements, and to ensure students and graduates have not engaged — and do not engage — in behaviour that is harmful to the public.

Many RRC Polytech programs and student practicum/work experience placement sites require students to provide current original/official versions of the following checks:

• Criminal Record Check (CRC)
• Provincial Child Abuse Registry Check (CAR)
• Adult Abuse Registry Check (AAR)

Which Checks Are Required?

Required checks vary by program. To determine if your program requires one or more of the above checks:

Part-time programs: visit RRC Polytech’s Catalogue, find your program, and click on the Co-Op/Practicum Information section

Full-time programs: review the Applicant Declaration for Check Documents form (found under General Forms). If your program requires checks, submission of the Applicant Declaration for Check Document form is required within 15 days of your application date as part of the admissions process.  This form indicates:

• Which check documents you need to obtain and submit
• When you should begin the process of obtaining them (if you begin too early your document may be outdated at time of submission)
• The deadline to submit your check documents to RRC Polytech

By signing and submitting the Applicant Declaration for Check Documents form, you are acknowledging you have been informed and understand that the content of your checks may have implications on your ability to attend a practicum/work experience placement or complete your program.

Obtaining Check Documents Guideline

This is a guideline only. Processing times may vary and are beyond the control of RRC Polytech. A fee is usually charged by check providers. Payment of this fee(s) is your responsibility.

Full-time programs that accept the electronic version include:

• Educational Assistant
• Health Unit Clerk
• Legal Assistant
• Medical Device Reprocessing Technician
• Power Engineering – 5th Class
• Registered Nurse Refresher
• Therapeutic Recreation Facilitator for Older Adults

If you are interested in submitting an electronic version for a program not listed here, contact your program prior to ordering your check document to confirm if it will be accepted.

To find your program’s contact, go to RRC Polytech’s Catalogue, find your program, and click on Contact Information.

Criminal Record Check (CRC)

Minimum time to obtain: 6 weeks (estimate)
Check Providers: City of Winnipeg Police Department, City of Brandon Police Department, Your local RCMP detachment

Provincial Child Abuse Registry Check (CAR)

Minimum time to obtain: 8-10 weeks (estimate)
Check Providers: Province of Manitoba

Adult Abuse Registry Check (AAR)

Minimum time to obtain: 8-10 weeks (estimate)
Check Providers: Province of Manitoba

Submission of Checks to RRC Polytech

Failure to submit the documents to RRC Polytech by the deadline could result in you being ineligible to register into specific courses and practicums/work experience placements.

Submit your check documents to the RRC Polytech program contact listed on the Contact Information section of your program.

Under normal circumstances, the RRC Polytech program contact will be the only RRC Polytech staff member to have access to your documents.

If Your Criminal Record Check Is Clear

We will record it as received and reviewed, and return the original to you.

If Your Criminal Record Check Is Not Clear (Implications Of Having A Criminal Record)

Having a criminal record does not automatically prevent you from participating in or completing your RRC Polytech program.

Once you have submitted your documents to the academic department, we will forward your documents to the College’s Criminal Record Check Review Committee (CRCRC) for review. You will need to submit the following to the academic department:

• the criminal record check
• one letter from you explaining the circumstance of the incident and how you have changed
• two character reference letters.

We will share information of concern with the CRCRC in a blind review process – we will not identify you.

Your criminal record will be reviewed in relation to:

• Whether you are able to complete the requirements of your RRC Polytech program
• The program’s professional mandate to protect the public

The following will be considered in making this determination:

• The nature of the crime/criminal record
• The time frame of the record
• The extent of the record and the number of convictions
• Your record since the crime occurred
• The rules regarding pardons under the Criminal Code of Canada

The CRCRC will make recommendations on your eligibility to take a program or participate in practicum/work experience components. Once the CRCRC has made its decision and recommendations, we will return your original documents to you along with a letter outlining the CRCRC’s decision.

The College will keep a copy of your check documents on file for the duration of the applicable appeal periods. Once all appeal periods have lapsed, or your appeal has concluded (whichever is later), we will destroy your documents in a secure manner.

In the event the College determines your criminal record does not disqualify you from completing your program requirements, the College will not disclose your record except as may be required by law or with your consent. The College may request your consent to disclose your criminal record in order to facilitate a field placement. Failure to provide your consent may impact the College’s ability to facilitate a field placement which may, in turn, lead to your inability to complete field placement course requirements.

In the case of programs leading to the practice of Registered Nursing, the following factors will also be considered when reviewing an applicant/student’s criminal record:

The regulations of the Registered Nurses Act of Manitoba, Section 5(2) (d), requires all applicants for initial registration with the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba to disclose “a conviction for an offence under the Criminal Code (Canada), the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) and the Food and Drugs Act (Canada).”

If you have a conviction as described above, you may be unable to obtain a license as a Registered Nurse (RN) or other employment at the employer’s discretion, regardless of whether or not you successfully complete a nursing education or other education program.

Implications of Being Listed on CAR or AAR

If you are listed on a Provincial Child Abuse Registry and/or Adult Abuse Registry, you are not eligible for admission to programs that require abuse registry checks.

Failure to Disclose

Failure to formally disclose a charge or conviction of a criminal offence – either after being admitted to the program or at any time during the program – will result in a review of your status and may invalidate your admission to your program or your ability to complete your program, or may result in your dismissal from the program.

Failure to formally disclose a listing on a Provincial Child Abuse Registry and/or Adult Abuse Registry – either after being admitted to the program or at any time during the program — will invalidate your admission to your program and your ability to complete your program, and will result in your dismissal from the program.

Process for Appeals

Please see RRC Polytech’s policy about Student Appeals.