Policy Text
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
G.O. 533.10
Page 1 of 2
533.10
DISCLOSURE OF SEX OFFENDERS
10-09-12
PURPOSE
The purpose of this order is to establish procedures for the disclosure of sexual offender information to the
public under California's Megan's Law (Penal Code § 290 and subsequent related sections).
POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Sacramento Police Department to provide available information that identifies sex
offenders that pose a risk to the community.
PROCEDURE
A. DEFINITION
1. FULL ADDRESS - A registrant whose full address may be listed on the California
Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Megan’s Law web site or on a local law enforcement web site.
2. ZIP CODE ONLY - A registrant whose ZIP code only may be listed.
3. NO POST - A registrant whose information may not be posted unless there is reasonable
suspicion that he or she poses a risk to the community.
4. EXCLUDED - A registrant who would be disclosed to the public except that current law allows
certain persons to apply for an exclusion f rom public disclosure. The exclusion would be
terminated if the offender subsequently violates probation or is convicted of an offense that results
in public disclosure.
5. REASONABLE SUSPICION - A suspicion based on information provided by another peace offi cer
or member of the public that a child or another person may be at risk of becoming the victim of a
sex offense by a sex offender.
6. LIKELY TO ENCOUNTER - The entity is in a location close to where the offender lives or is
employed or that the offender vi sits or is likely to visit on a regular basis, and contact with the
offender is reasonably probable.
7. AT RISK - A person who is or may be exposed to the risk of victimization.
B. GENERAL
1. The Department shall
a. Refer all inquiries regarding Megan’s Law to the DOJ web site at www.meganslaw.ca.gov .
b. Only disclose sex offender information for individuals who, based upon reasonable suspicion,
pose a risk to the community.
2. The Dep artment may disclose information on a sex offender via the web site. However , one of the
following conditions must be met:
a. There is an active warrant for the offender’s arrest.
b. The Department determines that the release of additional information concerning a specific
offender is necessary in order to ensure public safety.
NOTE: This applies t o offenders categorized as: (1) Full Address; (2) ZIP Co de Only;
(3) No Post; and (4) Excluded. The Department shall not disclose the offender ’s home
address unless the address is a lso listed on the DOJ p ublic web s ite.
3. Employees working in Records/Warrants/Radio shall use the law enforcement access level of the
DOJ Megan’s Law web site to research information for officers regarding sex offenders.
4. Employees shall not
a. Provide legal advice to the public or the media regarding sex offenders.
b. Release information that might lead to or would identify the victim (s) of a sex offender.
c. Release any information about any sex offender over the telephone .
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
G.O. 533.10
Page 2 of 2
C. PROACTIVE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON SEX OFFENDERS
1. Employees may proactively notify members of the public about any sex offender when it is
necessary based upon an assessment of the offender ’s risk to the community. Employees shall
have reasonable suspicion that a person m ight be at risk for victimization by a sex offender and
that the offender is likely to encounter that person.
a. When these circumstances exist, the employee shall obtain approval through their chain of
command before disseminating this information to the pub lic.
b. Disclosure that a sex offender lives, works, or otherwise frequents an area shall be limited to
public and pr ivate educational institutions, day care establishments, organizations that
primarily serve individuals likely to be victimized by the offende r, and other community
members at risk.
c. Information shall only be disseminated to those persons who are at risk for the subject’s
registered offense(s ) (e.g., the disclosure of pedophile information to parents and children and
youth organizations versus the disclosure to a potential adult sexual assault victim ).
d. Informati on shall be uniformly disclosed (e.g., if the Department chooses to notify one school,
it shall notify all schools in the area ).
e. Officers shall state in the bulletin that the information is provided to protect the publ ic.
f. Under exigent circumstances, employees may disseminate the information without prior
approval. The reason for the dissemination shall be noted in an information report.
2. When officers disseminate information, they shall enter the notification into the comment field on
the offender's Supervised Release File Record and indicate that the information is being provided
to protect the public.
a. Prior to the disclosure of information about a sex offender, the Department shall send an
officer to
(1) The offender's residence or business address to verify that the offender lives or works
there.
(2) Attempt to notify the offender of the release of the information.
b. If the officer is uncertain whether he/she should disseminate the information , he or she shall
complete an incident report detailing the incident and forward it to the SACA detective
assigned to the S.A.F.E. Team Task Force.
3. Any information