Criminal record checks will be processed faster in Coquitlam thanks to a new piece of fingerprint technology at the local RCMP detachment.
Coquitlam Mounties are now using LiveScan, a digital fingerprint scanner, to help speed up the processing time, particularly for individuals looking to volunteer or work in the "vulnerable sector."
That covers any jobs or volunteer positions where children are present or where the general population is at a greater risk of being harmed by a person in a position of authority. Some of the positions classified as "vulnerable sector" include teachers, social workers, daycare workers and sports coaches.
With the school year soon beginning, police said they expect to see a spike in the number of vulnerable sector checks they must conduct, as many sport and school activities reconvene for the year.
While previous checks could sometimes take week or even months, the digital fingerprint scanners can reduce wait times to eight to 10 days.
"We would like to process the applications as quickly as possible," said Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Jamie Chung. "We will maintain the integrity of the checks by doing a thorough investigation every time a person hands in a criminal record check form."
The service is available at the main Coquitlam detachment (2986 Guildford Way) between Monday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.
