UNDERSTANDING POLICE FILE DESTRUCTION

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If you have been charged by the police but not convicted, your fingerprints, photographs, and police records may still be retained locally and at the RCMP central repository in Ottawa. 

Police File Destruction is the process of permanently removing these records, ensuring that past charges do not negatively impact your opportunities or reputation. 

This applies when charges have been:

• Withdrawn or stayed
• Resulted in an Acquittal
• Completed through programs such as Alternative Measures Program (AMP) or Mental Health Diversion (MHD)
• Pled guilty but received an Absolute or Conditional Discharge

Police File Destruction is only available to individuals who have been charged but never convicted. This can include situations where charges were withdrawn, stayed, dismissed, or you were found not guilty, as well as certain diversion program outcomes.

If you have any conviction on your record, you are not eligible for Police File Destruction and will instead need to apply for a Record Suspension, formerly known as a Pardon.

Depending on your situation, a waiting period may be required before you can apply for a Police File Destruction. 

• Absolute discharge - 1 year
• Stay of Proceedings - 1 year
• Alternative Measure Program (AMP) completion - 1 year
• Conditional discharge - 3 years
• Sexual offences - 5 years

Contact The Pardon Group today. We have successfully handled hundreds of Police File Destruction applications and have a strong track record of obtaining file destructions not only from local police services, but also from the RCMP’s National Repository in Ottawa.