News Release

Commissionaires Opens Additional Toronto Office to Meet Demand for Criminal Background Checks

July 26 2010, Toronto, ON – To meet the increasing demand for background checks, Commissionaires Great Lakes has just opened its seventh digital fingerprinting office, located at 25 St. Clair Ave East – steps from the St. Clair subway station. The service, offered by knowledgeable friendly professionals, makes criminal record checks faster for those applying for immigration, citizenship, employment, international adoptions, and foreign travel.

Commissionaires’ records show that demand for police clearance for employment reasons has grown nearly 20% in the last year while background checks for immigration purposes represent over 50% of the overall demand. The new office conveniently shares the building with a federal government Service Canada office visited by many new immigrants. The other downtown Toronto Commissionaires digital fingerprinting office is at 15 Toronto Street. There are also offices in Mississauga, Scarborough, Barrie, London, and Sarnia. All offices also provide timely and professional pardon services.

Most police background checks require fingerprints. Digitally scanning fingerprints is a relatively new technology that significantly speeds up the application process. Commissionaires was one of the first providers, working closely with the RCMP, to scan fingerprints and submit them electronically for processing.

“It became clear that the need for this important security service was outstripping out ability to respond as quickly as our customers deserved. So it was an easy call to open a new and centrally located office to meet the growing demand,” commented Jim Watts, CEO, Commissionaires Great Lakes. “Our digital system is the fastest available in Canada. Now it’s a ten day turn around instead of 120 days for the traditional ink and roll method.”

How digital fingerprinting works
Digital fingerprinting is the electronic capture of a person’s fingerprints via an optical scanner at a capture station. The scanned fingerprints, along with the application details, are then formatted into a standardized electronic package that is attached and emailed, via a secure link, direct to the RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Information System (CCRTIS).

CCRTIS compares the fingerprint package against the RCMP’s criminal record database. If no record is present, the RCMP will issue a certificate indicating a clear record. If the applicant does have a criminal record this will be indicated in the results. Commissionaires does not store the digital fingerprint information, and RCMP are not allowed to keep it on file unless the person is applying to the police force or military.

The cost
No appointments are necessary. Digital cost is $50 plus HST (plus $25 RCMP fee if applicable). Ink & roll is $50 plus HST. Commissionaires’ digital process is fast, efficient and clean and normally takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. The traditional ink and roll method take approximately ten minutes to complete. Police clearances are also offered and verified through the CPIC database in Ottawa and the cost is $37.50 plus HST.

About Commissionaires
Commissionaires was founded to provide meaningful employment for former Canadian Forces and RCMP personnel. The organization has long been recognized as Canada’s premier security provider, protecting people and property for public and private sector clients from coast to coast. While employing leading-edge technology in delivering security services, Commissionaires has remained true to its roots by providing employment to those making the transition to civilian life after active service in the military and police forces. The organization also hires many reliable and responsible individuals without military or police experience. Commissionaires’ services and security solutions include: security guarding, enforcement, identification services, training and security consulting. The integrity, strong work ethic, proven skills and discipline of Commissionaires give clients confidence and security everyday, everywhere.

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For more information, please contact:
Donna D’Arcy
Commissionaires Great Lakes
T 416 364 4496 x444
C 416 458 0276
ddarcy@commissionaires.ca

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