Apply for a background check
Complete the criminal record and vulnerable sector check application online, or in person at 270 Foundry Street.
Apply online
Emergency Services
Summerside Police Services
Summerside Police Services has a big presence within the City. We make an effort to give back to the community we work so hard to protect.
Most requested
How can we help?
Report a loose dog or cat
To report a loose dog or cat, or a dog or cat defecating on your property, please call us at 902-432-1201.
Call 902-432-1201
Vulnerable Person Registry
A voluntary submission where caregivers to vulnerable persons may submit their information to us.
Submit the form
Criminal record & vulnerable sector checks
Getting a background check
Many employment and volunteer opportunities require a criminal background check. Summerside Police Services processes record checks for residents of the City of Summerside.
To obtain a criminal background check, you can visit Summerside Police Services at 270 Foundry Street and fill out an Information Consent Form. You will also be asked to show identification. You can also complete the application forms online.
Typically, it takes two business days to process a record check (when completing in-person). There is a processing fee of $50.00 to be paid at City Hall. When you come back to pick up your letter at Police Services, you will be asked to show proof of payment and your identification again.
Background checks for volunteers
If you require a background check to be a volunteer, you follow the same process as above, but, bring a letter from the organization you wish to volunteer with in order to waive the $50 processing fee.
Vulnerable sector check
A vulnerable sector check is a special type of criminal record check required for applicants who will be in a position of trust or authority over children, the elderly, the disabled, or another vulnerable group.
Additionally, Police Services will conduct a name-based search of the national repository of criminal convictions and a query of the pardoned sex-offender database. In some cases, applicants may be required to submit their fingerprints if there is a match based on either name or a combination of gender and date of birth to a pardoned sex offender record.
If fingerprints are not required, Summerside Police Services will process this check within two business days. If fingerprints are required, Summerside Police Services will process them. If it is for employment, you will be required to pay an additional $25 which can be paid at City Hall. The processing for the fingerprints could take up to 1-2 weeks.
Note: Summerside Police Services only provides this service to residents of Summerside. We do not process vulnerable sector checks unless we are provided documentation from the requesting organization stating why they require this service. It is an offence to conduct a vulnerable sector check if the position does not meet the requirements of the Criminal Records Act.
Background Check Application Forms: Print/In-Person · Online
Bylaw enforcement
Traffic and parking
The City of Summerside's Bylaw Enforcement Officer enforces the City's Traffic and Parking Bylaw. He/she is responsible for monitoring the City core, the downtown area, Prince County Hospital, the County Fair Mall, major shopping parking lots, and other areas of the City for bylaw offences.
Primarily, these offences include extended parking in designated 2-hour spaces, parking in disabled spaces and blocking fire lanes.
Tickets / fines are to be paid at City Hall - Finance Department.
Our services
More from Summerside Police Services
Community relations & outreach
Officers Have Heart. The following are some of the things we do to connect with residents:
- Hosted annually at Credit Union Place, our officers collect new toys and clothing to be distributed during the holiday season
- Members are involved in local school breakfast programs and volunteer on a regular basis including coaching minor sports
- Annual Bike Rodeo. Hosted at the CUP in conjunction with community partners, new bikes and safety equipment are provided to children of the community
- Our members also support the Special Olympics, participating annually in the Polar Plunge and Law Enforcement Torch Run
Animal control services
The City of Summerside's Animal Control Bylaw prohibits dogs and cats from roaming at large within the City without permission of property owners. Any cat or dog caught off-leash and without permission may be impounded and the pet owner fined.
To report a loose dog or cat, please contact us at 902-432-1201. If the animal is wearing a licence and it is possible to read the information on the tag, we can contact the owner directly. If the animal is not wearing a tag, the information will be passed on to one of our animal control officers.
Related: Animal Control Bylaw
Crime interventions
Protecting Our Neighbours. The Summerside Police Department's patrolling and intervention service is available to victims of criminal acts and perpetrators of criminal incidents to prevent loss of lives and damage to property.
We're often called to intervene in domestic disputes, assaults, and property crimes such as break and enter, and theft.
- Police Patrolling and Intervention Planning
- Patrol Route Design
- Receiving and qualifying calls to intervene
- Intervening in incidents
- Request special services as required (ie: forensic identification)
- Incident intervention reporting
- Follow-up with Justice
Criminal investigations
Criminal investigations in the City of Summerside are conducted by members of the Police Department with specialized training. These members make up the Summerside Police Department's Major Crimes Unit.
This four-person unit consists of one Sergeant, one Corporal, one Constable, and one JFO (Joint Force Operations) Constable who works from the East Prince Detachment of the RCMP. The JFO Constable works solely in drug enforcement.
Investigators have specialized training in many areas including forensic interviewing, intervention and crimes against children.
Public safety education
Members of Summerside Police Services are frequently invited to speak to community groups on many different public safety topics, from fraud prevention to drug awareness. Teachers invite us to schools to talk to students about cyber-bullying and internet safety, impaired driving and drug abuse. We also have created programs to talk to senior citizens about scams and how to prevent becoming victims of fraud.
If you would like a member of Summerside Police Services to speak to your group, contact: dale.corish@summerside.ca
Victim support
If you're the victim of a crime, contact police immediately by calling 911, and the appropriate assistance will be dispatched to you. Though it may be difficult to discuss what has happened to you, it is important to report the incident to police. Some crime victims find it helpful to bring a friend with them to the police station to discuss traumatic incidents.
Police officers receive in-depth sensitivity training and can provide a wealth of support and information to victims of crime.
PEI Victim Services · Preparing a victim impact statement · Helping victims of crime
Vulnerable Person Registry
A Vulnerable Person is defined as: a person who due to a medical, mental health, or physical condition may exhibit patterns of behavior that may pose a danger to themselves.
If you wish to submit a person for this registry, please complete the form. If you have any questions about this registry, please contact vulnerable@city.summerside.pe.ca
SPD history
Before Summerside became an incorporated town in 1877, it was a bustling shipbuilding centre and growing commercial hub. Many transient laborers passed through the area, and with little to do in the evenings, many of them frequented the local ale houses. It wasn't long before Summerside required the assistance of a police force to help uphold the law.
It was around the town's year of incorporation that council began appointing police officers. Appointments were made on a yearly basis, and there were generally two or three police officers appointed for a given year.
For more information about the history of the Summerside Police Department, contact: MacNaught History Centre & Archives.
Police resources
Prince Edward Island's policing links: Government of PEI Policing Services · PEI Crime Stoppers · PEI Police Association
Provincial resources: Child and Family Services · Criminal and Family Legal Aid · PEI Family Violence Prevention Services · PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Center · RISE PEI
Summerside Police Services
270 Foundry Street, Summerside
In an emergency, call 911. For animal control, call 902-432-1201.