RCMP Background checks: I just quoted on a third show for the Christmas season where they requested a Criminal Record Background Check for the performers. The companies that insure these events are demanding this now, (along with performers' insurance) and we're only going to see more of it in the future.

It's important to note that there is a 6-8 week backlog for RCMP checks, which means if you apply tomorrow you'll barely get it in time for the Christmas season. Also, if you have not had one done recently, it is only valid for 3 months.

For more information:
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/news-nouvelles......-eng.htm

Where did you get that it is only valid 3 months? most organization only require it done yearly or every couple years?(granted it is only so effective as the day after the check, you then have 364 days where offense could happen before it ever gets picked up...)

Also, you don't have to get them done at only the RCMP. You can use your local police department.

- Donald

You are correct that the organizations themselves only require yearly or whatever they are comfortable with, however the paperwork itself expires in three months. So if you get it in December and someone asks to see it April, it will have expired. Make sense?

I've only had one school ask about a police check so I looked into it (Montreal), the police were not interested in doing one for an individual/private contractor. It seems the school can request one for it's employees, but not for outside contractors. While I was involved with minor hockey, and scouting, our city (Dorval) would handle the police checks.

RE: Ins. Most elementary schools when I performed for them were required by their school board to ensure that performers had personal business liability insurance. Often when the payment is made directly by the school, or a parents' group, proof is not requested of insurance. However, when I had contracts that passed though the school board they actually held payment until I could supply a copy of my ins. certificate showing I was insured.

B

Here's a question for ya: If one wanted to know, in advance, how a background check would turn out, how would one apply for or instigate a background check of one's self?

As I understand it, here in Canada, you can start your own check on yourself. You go to the police station, fill out the paperwork, and pay the fee. Depending on where you go to do it, the fee will vary, as well as the length of time to complete the check.

If it is an outside group doing the check on you, then the fee is usually waived for that group. They supply a special letter that you take to the police station. This was how it worked when I volunteered as a Sunday School Leader, and when I worked as a childcare worker.

- Donald

I had the same issue. Now I always get a Parks & Rec person from the city to request it for me. Typically it's a good excuse to chat to them about upcoming events anyhow!

Holy crap Donald... 5368 Posts, how do you do it?

I pace myself... no more than 50 posts a month.

If I'm tempted to post more than that, I realize that I'm not managing my time effectively.

- Donald

Wow, it is truly sad if we are coming to this. At least so far, in any part of Canada I have performed in, no one has ever asked for a criminal background check (not that I have anything to hide). I have been asked to provide a SOCAN licence and proof of insurance at various times, but nothing to do with the police yet.

I guess it is the future though. Just a few years ago, we did a Christmas family corporate gig and one of the other entertainment acts at the party was busted for making and distributing child porn a few months later according to newspaper reports.

It's all still rather sad though.

Here we go....LOL

As a follow-up to my post above, I just followed up on a payment fee for the 1 school activity I've done this Fall, seems it's being held up as I had not filled out a judicial form (???...I am assuming police check) required by the school board. Always nice to know after the fact that paperwork has to be done. So it's being sent to the school as I speak for me to fill out and return, I then assume the board will run a check through their system as parks and rec.s do.

What's interesting is that the event has already taken place! I've already been in the school. And only now they want to see that my paperwork is on order.

Blair

(P.S. Will let you know what's up after I receive the documentation, and it's interesting the folks at the school did not know about this paperwork being required.)

In California, private criminal background checks are not completed by the police, they are conducted by private agencies and when you give up your Social Security Number, you don’t know who is looking at it.

I am in a better position as I posses a Federal Firearms Licensee to conduct business as a firearms dealer.

This background check supersedes any other type of private background check and is constant, meaning that anytime IF I am arrested the information is upgraded on my record and can be checked as a public record.

Informing my clients about my background check is always accepted.

Hehehe Howie, I know what you're saying is a good thing because it proves that you are an upstanding citizen, but it just seems a wee bit twisted (?) that you can use a gun thing to prove you're ok to do children's shows. Hope you're not offended, I just found it a bit humourous.

School shows are an interesting anomaly. Most (urban) school boards require vendors of any kind to have insurance, often $4M worth. That requirement doesn't hold if you are hired by a school council or some such. That being said, performers without insurance are being needlessly reckless.

John