Sex Offender Notification Policy
BANGOR POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY
Community Notification of Convicted Sex Offenders
This policy is effective May 17, 1998 and amends or supersedes all previous policies on this subject.
I. POLICY
It is the policy of the Bangor Police Department to notify the community whenever a sex offender who is required to register with the State Bureau of Identification establishes a residence in the City of Bangor. It is also the policy of the Bangor Police Department to notify the community whenever a person who resides in the City of Bangor is on probation with the State Department of Corrections and has been classified as a maximum or high risk sex offender.
II. PURPOSE
It is the purpose of this policy to provide officers with guidelines for properly notifying the community. This policy also provides guidelines for investigation prior to notification, and guidelines concerning the type of information to be released.
III. INVESTIGATION PRIOR TO NOTIFICATION
When Notified By The State Bureau of Identification.
Whenever the police department is notified by the State Bureau of Identification with public information that a sex offender who is required to register has established a residence in the City of Bangor, the detective division shall investigate to determine if the offender actually resides at the address provided by the State. If the offender does reside at the address provided by the State then the notification procedures in Section IV shall be followed. If the offender does not reside at the address provided by the State, the investigator shall notify the State Bureau of Identification. The investigator will attempt to determine where the offender has moved. If the offender is located, the investigator will notify the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction. If the offender is found to be living elsewhere in the City of Bangor, the investigator will refer the information to the District Attorney for prosecution and the notification procedures in the next section will be followed.
When Notified By The State Department of Corrections.
Whenever the police department is notified by the State Department of Corrections with public information that a person who is on probation for a sex crime has established a residence in the City of Bangor, the person notified shall attempt to determine if the offender has been classified as to their likelihood to commit a similar crime. If the offender has been classified as a maximum risk or high risk sex offender then the detective division shall investigate to determine if the offender actually resides at the address provided by the State. If the offender does reside at the address provided by the State then the notification procedures in Section IV shall be followed. If the offender does not reside at the address provided by the State, the investigator shall notify the State Department of Corrections. The investigator will attempt to determine where the offender has moved. If the offender is located, the investigator will notify the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction. If the offender is found to be living elsewhere in the City of Bangor, the investigator will refer the information to the State Department of Corrections and the notification procedures in the next section will be followed.
Persons Believed To Be A Convicted Sex Offender
Whenever it comes to the attention of a member of the Bangor Police Department that a person who resides in Bangor may be a convicted sex offender, the detective division shall be notified. The assigned investigator will take reasonable steps to determine if the person is a convicted sex offender. If the person is a convicted sex offender then the investigator will determine if the person is required to register with the State Bureau of Identification or is on probation with the State Department of Corrections. If the person is required to register or on probation then the investigator shall notify the proper State agency of the location of the person and shall refer the case to the District Attorney for prosecution, if appropriate. The community will then be notified in accordance with the provisions of Section IV.
IV. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE
The residents of the City of Bangor shall be notified whenever a convicted sex offender subject to the provisions of Section III of this policy establishes a residence in this City. The following forms of notification will be used.
Neighborhood Notification - Each household which borders the property of the residence of a convicted sex offender shall be notified by printed notices delivered by police officers. If no one is at home, the notice shall be left at the entrance to the household. The notice shall include the name, physical description, address of the sex offender, offense date, and circumstances of the crime. A picture of the offender shall be included if reasonably available. The notice shall also contain the caution contained in Section V of this policy, and shall state whether the offender is required to register or is on probation.
School Department Notification - The printed notice described in the section above shall also be delivered to the Office of the Superintendent of Schools for the City of Bangor.
Walk-In Notification - The police department will maintain a book containing information about each sex offender. The information in this book shall include the name, physical description, name of the street on which the sex offender resides, offense date, and type of crime. A picture of the offender shall be included if reasonably available. The notice shall contain the caution contained in Section V of this policy, and whether the offender is required to register or is on probation. Any person who comes into the police station and requests information about sex offenders in Bangor will have access to this book to view the information. Copies of information will be made available at the rates set by the City Council for photocopying documents. This book will be updated whenever new information is received as outlined in Section III of this policy.
Automated Telephone Bulletin Board - The police department shall maintain an informational message on the department telephone system. This message will be accessible to telephones with touch tone capabilities. The message shall include the name, date of birth of the offender, and a suggestion to view the web site or walk-in notification book for more information. The message shall contain the caution contained in Section V of this policy, and whether the offender is required to register or is on probation. This message will be updated whenever new information is received as outlined in Section III of this policy.
V. MANDATORY CAUTION FOR ALL METHODS OF NOTIFICATION
All methods of notification shall contain the following caution;
"The following information contains the names of convicted sex offenders who reside in the City of Bangor. This information is provided to you because many sex offenders will repeat their crime if potential victims are unaware of the offender’s previous criminal activity.
If you have children who are under 16 years of age, or are responsible for children in the same age group, you should be aware of these convicted offenders. Do not let these offenders be with any children under the age of 16 years of age, unless there is a responsible adult present who is aware of the nature of the convicted offender’s crime.
If you have information that one of the persons on this list is engaged in criminal activity, or has moved, please contact the Bangor Police Department immediately.
The residents on this list have been convicted, and are on probation or have served their sentences. Harassing, threatening, or tormenting these residents in any way is a violation of state law. The Bangor Police Department will investigate any illegal activity against these residents, and will refer those investigations to the District Attorney for prosecution."