Vulnerable Persons Registry

The Vulnerable Persons Registry (VPR) is a community-based policing initiative in partnership with the local first responders and local community agencies. The registry promotes communication between vulnerable persons, the people who support them and the RCMP. This information will assist officers when responding to an emergency involving the vulnerable individual. The registry provides quick access to critical information about a registered person, such as who to call in an emergency, physical impairments, and any sensitivities that the person may experience.

Registration is completely voluntary. The database is to help alleviate safety concerns for those that are vulnerable in our community.

A vulnerable person is defined as an individual who due to age, illness, trauma, disability or another reason may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves against harm.

The goal of the VPR is to provide first responders with quick access to critical information about a registered person so the officer can assist in an emergency situation. When a Vulnerable Person is thought to be at risk, his or her personal information will be shared with relevant organizations, enabling them to quickly respond and provide effective assistance to the registrant.

The VPR is currently open to anyone, free of charge, living in Sparwood who feels they are vulnerable in times of emergencies and would like an extra assurance. In addition to individuals registering themselves, the parent/legal guardian, or other legal authority of a vulnerable person may voluntarily register an individual who is unable to do so or give consent.

The VPR will record information that will help the first responders understand how best to assist the registered person, such as how to communicate with the vulnerable person, who the officer should call and any other information that would be helpful in case of involvement between the registered person and the first responder.

1. The vulnerable person or their parent/guardian or other legal authority will complete the online or paper registration form. You will be prompted to create a login and password. (You will be given options to reset logins and passwords if forgotten.)
2. Once the form is submitted, an e-mail will be sent out to confirm that the form was received.
3. Once registered, the person will remain on the registry until they ask to be removed or until there is a lapse in updated information.
4. A child who is a vulnerable person who is under the age of 16 years must be registered by the parent/guardian. Once your child/dependent turns 16 they will need to give their consent to stay on the registry (if they are able to give consent).

Every other year (annually for those registrants under the age of 16) you will be sent an email asking you to update your information from the District of Sparwood. It is your responsibility to make sure the information is kept current.

Email the District of Sparwood at sparwood@sparwood.ca and ask that you be removed from the registry. Please include “REMOVE from VPR” in your subject line. If the request comes from an email address that was provided at time of registration, the District will contact you to confirm the request prior to removing you from the registry.

RCMP, Fire, Search and Rescue, Ambulance, and other emergency agencies who require this information to perform their duties will have access to all information contained on the registry. There are strict rules about the sharing of information that are in place to protect your privacy. For example, Registry information would not be included in a police record check or a vulnerable sector check or be shared with an outside agency. This information will not be added to the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database.

The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act prohibits the District of Sparwood from using the information provided for any other purpose than for what it was collected.