According to Hockey Canada and OWHA Policy: all team staff are in contact with players at any time - including behind the bench, on the ice, in the dressing room at any other times or locations - needs to submit a clear police records check, including vulnerable sector check (VSC - also known as a vulnerable sector screening or VSS). This includes all coaches, assistant coaches, on-ice staff, trainers, managers, and dressing room supervisors. Any team staff member without a current police records check and vulnerable sector screening will be prohibited from being in the dressing room, behind the bench, or on the ice.
As of 2024, the OWHA has a new process for centrally uploading police checks and completing the criminal offense declaration process. ALL TEAM STAFF ARE NOW REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A DIGITAL COPY OF THEIR POLICE CHECK AND VULNERABLE SECTOR CHECK THROUGH THE ONTARIO HOCKEY FEDERATION'S NEW VSC SCREENING PORTAL.
The previous processes for uploading police checks to your OWHA Registration profile, and submitting a Criminal Offense Declaration to the BWHA are no longer valid. EVEN THOSE WHO DURING THE PAST TWO SEASONS PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED A POLICE CHECK THAT IS STILL VALID MUST RESUBMIT A DIGITAL COPY DIRECTLY THROUGH THE NEW PORTAL.
It is our understanding that, while a police check with VSC is still valid for 3 seasons, the process of uploading it to the screening portal will need to be repeated annually from this point forward. Therefore you should ensure you store a digital copy of your police check in a safe and secure location. Unfortunately, we cannot access the digital copy of any police check which was previously submitted through the OWHA's RAMP registration system. If you do not have your original police check, or a digital copy of it, you will be required to acquire a new police check.
For the 2024-2025 Season:
- If your police check was submitted in the 2022-2023, or 2023-2024 season - your police check and VSC are still valid and you can upload to the screening portal.
- If your police check was submitted in the 2021-2022 season or before - a new Police Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check will be required before you can upload it to the screening portal.
IF YOU REQUIRE A NEW POLICE RECORD CHECK:
Barrie Residents:
Barrie residents must request a records check through Barrie Police Services. Follow this link for more information and to start the process: https://www.barriepolice.ca/services/records/
Innisfil / Bradford Residents:
Innisfil residents need to request a records check through South Simcoe Police Service. For more information on the process click here: https://southsimcoepolice.on.ca/records-check/
Residents of Other Municipalities:
If you reside in Clearview, Essa, Orillia, Oro-Medonte or Springwater, you will need to pursue your police check through the Ontario Provincial Police. The OPP have a new online request service for police checks and VSS - please visit: https://ontario.tritoncanada.ca/v/public/landing/ontarioprovincialpolice/home. For more information please call 1-888-310-1122 (toll free, non-emergency line).
VOLUNTEER CONFIRMATION LETTER:
Some police jurisdictions may require you to provide a letter confirming your role as a volunteer, and stating why a Criminal Records Check / Vulnerable Sector Scan is required. While this is not currently true for the City of Barrie, it a Volunteer Confirmation Letter is required for the South Simcoe Police, and the Ontario Provincial Police. If your police check request must go to one of these areas, please contact [email protected].
If you have any questions about police check requirements or the submission process, please email [email protected].