how long do police checks last

Police checks generally do not have an official expiry date and are considered "point-in-time" checks, meaning they reflect a person's criminal history only up to the date of issue. However, their relevance or acceptance by employers usually diminishes over time. Most employers or organizations set their own validity periods for police checks, often requiring them to be no older than 3 to 12 months depending on the industry and role. For example, in some places, police checks older than 3 to 6 months may not be accepted, especially for roles involving vulnerable groups or children. Essentially, the length of time a police check "lasts" depends on the employer's policy rather than the police check itself expiring.