Police certificate for voluntary organizations

We all want our children to be safe when they participate in their leisure activities – be it football, corps, swimming, or whatever.

All voluntary organisations working with children must and should require police certificates from employees and volunteers who are in a relationship of trust or responsibility with minors. This is a minimum requirement to ensure the safety of children.

What is a police certificate?

A police certificate is a document issued by the police that shows whether a person has committed an offence. There are different types of police certificates: ordinary, exhaustive, extended, and limited. The differences between these are about how comprehensive the information in the certificate is, and can sometimes be combined. An exhaustive police certificate, for example, will show all reactions registered with the police, while an ordinary police certificate covers most reactions for all types of offences within a certain period.

A police certificate is a confidential document that contains sensitive personal information. Therefore, each individual must apply for a police certificate themselves. The person will then need a letter of intent from the employer, or the voluntary organization for which he or she will be working. The person must then submit the police certificate to the employer when it is ready.

Why should voluntary organizations require a police certificate?

It is in everyone's interest that voluntary organizations require a police certificate from employees and volunteers who will be working directly with children, to ensure the children's safety. This must also apply to everyone, regardless of how long the position lasts, and whether the work is paid or unpaid. Requiring a police certificate is a very important step in combating abuse and violence against children in sports, corps, and other voluntary activities where children participate.

Voluntary organizations are therefore entitled to obtain a police certificate from employees in such positions, in accordance with the Police Register Regulations, Section 34-1.

Voluntary organizations may require the submission of a police certificate as mentioned in the Police Register Act, section 39, first paragraph, from a natural person who, paid or unpaid, performs or will perform tasks for the organization that involve a relationship of trust or responsibility towards minors or people with intellectual disabilities.

Politiregisterforskriften § 34-1

What kind of police certificate is required of voluntary organizations?

The certificate that voluntary organizations that work with children can obtain is called a child care certificate. This specifically collects information about sexual offenses, murders, drug offenses, and serious violent or robbery crimes.

The certificate must not be older than 3 months when it is submitted for approval by the organization. If the person concerned takes on a new position or office, a new certificate must also be requested.