What You Need 

to Know About 

Sex Offenders in 

Your Community
This project was supported by Grant Number 2008-CS-WX-K001 awarded by the Office of Community 

Oriented Policing Services, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions contained herein are those of 

the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department 

of Justice. References to specific agencies, companies, products, or services should not be considered 

an endorsement by the author(s) or the U.S. Department of Justice. Rather, the references are 

illustrations to supplement discussion of the issues. 

The Internet references cited in this publication were valid as of the date of this publication. Given 

that URLs and websites are in constant flux, neither the author nor the COPS Office can vouch for 

their current validity. 

ISBN: 978-1-935676-57-7

March 2012
Contents

Letter from the Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Answers to Commonly Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Why is a sex offender moving into my community? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

How will I know if sex offenders are in my community? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Registration Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Modifications to Registration Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

What is being done about the sex offenders in my community? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

What can I do to protect my family from sex offenders in my community? . . . . 7

What can I do as a member of this community? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

About the COPS Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Letter from the Director iii

Dear Colleagues,

Few things frighten a community more than learning that a sex offender has moved into the neighborhood. 

With more than 740,000 currently registered sex offenders in our nation, community members are often 

anxious to know what they can do to protect their families. However, there is much misinformation and 

confusion as to the community’s role regarding sex offender management. 

Community residents are vital partners to law enforcement regarding this issue, and I am proud to offer this 

basic guidebook to help educate, inform, and empower residents to help ensure the safety of their families and 

communities. Uniquely written in a Q&A format, this guidebook poses five questions community members 

commonly ask law enforcement. The thought-provoking responses are intended to help residents address their 

concerns surrounding the presence of sex offenders in their communities. 

Dispelling myths and instilling a sense of community ownership will help communities understand their 

role in sex offender management. Through the significant work of the National Center for Missing & 

Exploited Children, the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) is pleased to offer 

this resource to help community members take an active and informed role in ensuring public safety.

Sincerely,

Bernard K. Melekian, Director

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

Office of the Director

145 N Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20530

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services 
iv What You Need to Know About Sex Offenders in Your Community

Acknowledgments

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) acknowledges the 

contributions of individuals noted below in the design, development, and preparation 

of this guide. The combined experience, skills, and expertise of these knowledgeable 

individuals, along with the suggestions, modifications, and additions provided by expert 

reviewers, brought this guide to fruition. 

Principal Author 

Stevyn Fogg, Research Team Supervisor, Case Analysis Division

Contributors and Reviewers 

Kristen Anderson, Executive Director, Training & Outreach Division

Staca Shehan, Director, Case Analysis Division

Brenda Brown, Special Project Coordinator, Training & Outreach Division

NCMEC Publications Team

2008–2011 law enforcement recipients of the Child Sexual Predator Program (CSPP)—

Funded through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office)—

who provided feedback about their community’s education and outreach efforts
Introduction 1

Introduction

A June 2011 survey of sex offender registries conducted by the National Center for 

Missing & Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) Sex Offender Tracking Team revealed there 

were approximately 740,000 registered sex offenders in the United States and its 

territories.1

 Despite increased knowledge and awareness surrounding sex offenders and 

increased media attention, many families are still unaware sex offenders reside among 

them or know what to do when they become aware any one of their neighbors may 

be a sex offender. Moreover, residents of communities are sometimes overlooked as 

partners in efforts to help ensure their safety from new or repeat crimes committed by 

those same sex offenders. As the “eyes and ears” of any community, residents, in fact, 

can and do have specific roles for helping to ensure the overall safety of their families, 

homes, and communities. 

This guide outlines common questions and concerns people have about sex offenders 

and their role in sex offender management. Included is helpful information designed to:

◾ Highlight the important issues related to sex offenders in the community

◾ Outline the community’s role in sex offender management

◾ Inform, educate, and empower residents

◾ Provide specific steps that can be taken

The most important thing to remember is that residents are essential partners in any 

efforts to manage sex offenders in their community.

1. In an effort to determine the number of registered sex offenders in the United States, NCMEC conducts biannual surveys with the state and territorial sex offender 

registries. On the basis of the most recent survey, conducted April through May 2011 and finalized in June 2011, the cumulative total of registered sex offenders was 

determined to be 739,853.
2 What You Need to Know About Sex Offenders in Your Community

Background

Knowledge and awareness surrounding sex offenders has increased greatly in the past 

20 years due, in part, to federal sex offender laws enacted between 1994 and 2006. 

Federal laws led to the passage of state2

 laws and created a climate of concentrated 

support for sex offender registries and awareness. 

Megan’s Law and the Jacob Wetterling Improvements Act authorized community 

notification in a manner and method of discretion to individual states. Thus, great 

variability exists in how communities are notified, which agencies notify them, 

and what information is disseminated. A number of strategies—from programs and 

initiatives to publications and websites—have arisen in response to this variability, all 

focused on helping to ensure public safety and offender compliance.

Regardless of the resources available, inquiries made to law enforcement 

representatives should focus on these five concerns:

Why is a 

sex offender 

moving 

into my community?

How will I 

know if sex 

offenders 

are in my 

community?

What is 

being done about 

the sex 

offenders 

in my community?

What can I 

do to protect 

my family 

from sex 

offenders 

in my community?

What can 

I do as a 

member 

of this 

community?

Many law enforcement agencies have strategies for communicating with their 

residents about sex offenders. Recipients of funding and support through the Office of 

Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) Child Sexual Predator Program 

(CSPP) report primarily using their agency websites, community meetings, and 

social-networking sites to communicate crime-prevention initiatives in general. Other 

mediums include brochures and pamphlets, guides, public-service announcements 

on the radio and TV, community newsletters and local newspapers, billboards, and 

a combination of these methods to get the word out about sex offenders and other 

relevant information of interest to the community. The fundamental message, whatever 

the method, is that residents are essential partners in managing sex offenders in every 

community. Likewise, residents should be a part of the activities that bring about 

solutions within their communities.

The following section lists responses to the questions commonly asked of law 

enforcement and other officials. The answers are intended to serve as a starting point 

for residents to educate themselves about the issues and challenges surrounding sex 

offenders.

2. Unless otherwise noted this guide uses the term “state” to also include American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The authors have attempted to identify and note any situation in which specific 

programs, laws, or definitions may not include some or all of these territories.
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions 3

Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

Although many efforts exist to inform residents about the issues and challenges 

surrounding the presence of sex offenders in their community, education is still 

extremely important to clarify the issue. These first few statements are designed to 

frame the issue, so the answers provided below to the commonly asked questions have 

context. 

As of June 2011, approximately 740,000 currently registered sex offenders reside in 

communities nationwide. Given this number, it is important to further define the term 

sex offender and understand the definition of a sex offense:

A sex offender is “an individual who was convicted of a sex offense” (OJP 2008). This 

person can be male or female and an adult or juvenile.

A sex offense is “a criminal offense that has an element involving a sexual act or sexual 

contact with another” (OJP 2008). Offense types may vary somewhat by state. Offenses 

may include completed or attempted acts occurring between one or more people without 

the consent of the other person or involving a person who is unable to provide consent. The 

offense may include child pornography, rape, sexual assault, molestation, fondling, incest, 

exposure, and peeping. Victims may be adults, children, known well or not well by the 

offender, or those with disabilities rendering them unable to provide consent. A sex offense 

may be committed person-to-person, remotely via the Internet, or by using another person 

as a human agent.

A sex offender may be of any age; be employed in any profession; attend any school; 

commit a sex crime in a variety of ways targeting different victims, not just children; 

and even be a family member.

Why is a sex offender 

moving into my community? 

In most cases, and as with any crime, an individual is sentenced to a specific amount 

of time of incarceration. He or she may be released at the end of that time with or 

without restrictions. In 2009, more than 729,000 offenders, including sex offenders, 

were released from state and federal prisons (Sabol and West 2010). Another 9 million 

are released from jail each year (Beck 2006). Some offenders are released into the 

community under the supervision of the court or correction system commonly referred 

to as probation or parole. By the end of 2009, more than 5 million people were on 

probation or parole (Glaze and Bonczar 2010). 

Other offenders may be released from incarceration without restriction, which means 

they are not under court or community correctional supervision. Moreover, they 

may not be required to register as sex offenders; may not notify the local community 

authorities of their residence, so the public may have access to information about them; 

or may not be under the supervision of any criminal justice agency. The following are a 

few of the reasons sex offenders may be released free of supervision:
4 What You Need to Know About Sex Offenders in Your Community

◾ They completed their entire sentence. For example, if an offender was sentenced 

to 12 years in prison and completed 12 years of incarceration as calculated by the 

correctional institution, then the sentence is deemed to have been satisfied.

◾ The offense for which they were convicted does not require registration or 

supervision.

◾ They have been adjudicated as a juvenile younger than 14 years of age who has 

committed an offense that is not specifically indicated in federal or state statutes.

This is neither an exhaustive list of examples nor do they apply to all states. Consulting 

your state legislative body or reading your state criminal code will provide specific 

incidents where an offender would be eligible for release without supervision. 

Notwithstanding the lack of formal registration requirement, correctional institutions 

routinely communicate with local law enforcement when offenders are scheduled for 

release. In turn, law enforcement agencies sometimes informally maintain information 

about unsupervised sex offenders as part of existing sex offender initiatives although 

they are not required to do so.

Unless prohibited by federal or state law, state or local ordinances, or court-ordered 

restrictions, an offender is allowed to reside wherever he or she chooses. Some 

restrictions prevent sex offenders from living within certain distances of schools, parks 

and recreational facilities, daycare centers, and other places children frequent. If not in 

violation of any of these restrictions, sex offenders may legally reside anywhere within a 

community.

How will I know if sex offenders 

are in my community? 

Federal and state laws are in place to help ensure the public is aware when sex 

offenders return to or reside in a community through the primary sources of federal 

and state websites, court records, and agencies authorized to share information as part 

of community notification initiatives.

Title I of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act (Pub. L. No. 109-248), 

also known as the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), provides 

minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States. 

All 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 

Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 51 

federally recognized Indian tribes currently have sex offender websites. A national 

public website, the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW.gov) 

also contains sex offender data that is easily searchable by anyone with access to the 

Internet. Although sex offenders are required to provide a large amount of personal 

data, NSOPW and most state registries provide limited information, including:

◾ Personal information, such as name and any aliases, age, physical description, and 

current photos

◾ Home address, work address, and employment status
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions 5

◾ Crimes convicted of, jurisdiction where convicted, date of conviction, relevant state 

statute, and age of victim if known

Additional details may be obtained from the sentencing court(s). Adult court records 

are public information unless sealed by order of the court.

A list of state-, territorial-, and tribal-managed sex offender websites can be found by 

visiting the “Public Registry Sites” web page, accessible from NSOPW.gov.

Registration Guidelines

Most jurisdictions require sex offenders to register where they work, attend school, or 

reside for more than seven days, or notify them of their status, if the locale is not their 

primary residence. Registries may also include the names and addresses of educational 

institutions within which an offender is or will be enrolled. This includes public and 

private primary and secondary schools, trade or professional schools, and institutions 

of higher learning. 

Not all states use the term “tier” to classify offenders, but there is a general system 

of classification to determine which sex offenses require registration, how long 

sex offenders remain on registries, and how often they are required to register. 

Classification is determined by the type of crime, victim, and level of risk to reoffend as 

determined by the courts and community-supervision officials. Therefore, communities 

may be told an offender is considered a Tier III or high-level offender.

The federal standard SORNA set indicates the minimum amount of time a sex offender 

is required to register and how often. Tier I is the least serious classification that 

includes misdemeanor and felony sex offenses. Tier I offenders must register for 15 

years and update their registration every 12 months. Tier II sex offenders are required 

to register for 25 years, must renew their registration every 6 months, and may have 

been previously convicted of a Tier I crime. Tier III carries a lifetime registration 

requirement. A Tier III sex offender is also required to renew his or her registration 

every three months. Individual states, territories, and tribes may have legislation 

requiring longer or more frequent registration than is required by the federal standard.

Federal Registration 

Periods by Tier Tier I: 15 Years

Tier II: 25 Years

Tier III: Lifetime
6 What You Need to Know About Sex Offenders in Your Community

Modifications to Registration Guidelines

Individuals convicted of qualifying sex offenses as determined by SORNA are 

required to register as sex offenders and keep their registration current based on the 

requirements of the state in which they reside. Qualifying sex offenses include a variety 

of offenses of a sexual nature for which an offender has been convicted under the law of 

any jurisdiction, such as federal, military, state, territorial, local, tribal, and foreign law. 

While sex offender registries are helpful tools, some offenders may not be required 

to register, or their name may not appear on a public registry. For example, juvenile 

offenders ages 14 and older convicted of serious sex crimes and any juveniles convicted 

as adults for similar crimes are required to register. States may, however, determine 

whether the juvenile offenders’ information is visible and searchable on state registries. 

Community residents may contact their local state registry officials to obtain 

information about juvenile sex offenders in their community. A more complete list of 

qualifying sex offenses may be found in The National Guidelines for Sex Offender 

Registration and Notification (OJP 2008). 

Restrictions

In some cases, a state registry indicates if the sex offender is on probation or parole 

supervision. If a link to the appropriate probation and parole website for the supervision 

jurisdiction is provided, this information may be used to obtain information about 

conditional restrictions based on the type and severity of the crime(s) the offender 

committed. For example, some offenders may be required to follow conditions 

prohibiting contact with children. This may mean they cannot reside in homes 

children inhabit; reside near schools, recreational facilities, or daycare centers; or 

participate in activities involving children, such as Halloween trick-or-treating or school 

performances.

What is being done about the 

sex offenders in my community?

Law enforcement agencies have developed various strategies for helping to ensure 

offender compliance and public safety. State sex offender websites are designed to 

provide viewers with information about sex offenders residing, working, attending 

school, or visiting for an extended period, so they can make informed decisions 

regarding their family’s safety. Some registry websites allow any person or entity to sign 

up for automated e-mails to learn, for example, when a sex offender moves into the 

community. Those without Internet access or preferring other methods may receive 

community notification via the U.S. Postal Service. In some cases, a fee is charged for 

this service. In addition to registries, other strategies are available:

◾ Address verification and compliance checks – Some law enforcement and probation 

agencies conduct joint unscheduled visits to the homes, workplaces, or schools of 

registered sex offenders to help ensure the accuracy of the information on file.
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions 7

◾ Monitoring and surveillance to facilitate offender compliance – Technologies such 

as global positioning systems (GPS) can be used to verify the information sex 

offenders report regarding their whereabouts.

◾ Education, outreach, and engagement to the community regarding prevention 

efforts – Community education is a crime-prevention tool, focusing on engaging 

residents to enhance neighborhood safety and reducing the incidence of recidivism 

and new crimes.

◾ Investigative follow-through regarding reported violations – When residents 

provide information about suspected violations, agencies responsible for oversight 

are required to investigate to determine if and what charges to file. Failure to comply 

with supervision conditions, community or other restrictions, and the law may 

require the offender be returned to incarceration. Examples of violations are failure 

to maintain contact with the probation or parole officer; failure to register as a sex 

offender in all relevant jurisdictions, such as home, work, or school; or committing 

new or repeatedly committing old crimes.

◾ Partnering with other agencies with sex offender oversight to provide seamless 

supervision – Courts, prosecutors, law enforcement, probation/parole, social services, 

and community-based organizations across the country have joined together to 

share information about the sex offenders residing in their jurisdictions. This open 

communication provides a forum for helping to prevent harm to the community 

before it occurs.

What can I do to protect my family 

from sex offenders in my community?

Law enforcement encourages residents to work in concert with them in their efforts 

to enforce offender compliance and public safety. The following examples list ways 

residents can do so:

◾ Learn the potential level of risk to children in your community. Remember, not all 

sex offenders target children.

◾ Recognize that sex offenders may be anyone. Learn to detect behavior that may 

indicate an individual is an undetected or not-yet-convicted sex offender. Read 

publications that may provide helpful information, such as the National Center 

for Missing & Exploited Children’s safety education materials located on its “Child 

Safety” web page, accessible from MissingKids.com.

◾ Monitor state sexual registries on a regular basis. Some websites are updated daily.

◾ Learn and understand the classification system used for sex offenders in your state. 

This helps to ensure offender compliance and reduce the level of risk to your family 

if the offenders are a threat.

◾ Practice proactive parenting. Be aware of your surroundings and those individuals 

who take an interest in your family. Always know where your children are, who they 

are with, and who their friends are.
8 What You Need to Know About Sex Offenders in Your Community

◾ Use the information about sex offenders to augment precautions already in place or 

develop new approaches for securing your family’s safety. For example, devise a 

“check first” system with your family members: children must check with their 

parents or guardians before changing known plans.

◾ Teach children about and monitor Internet and social media usage at all times. Set 

up rules for usage, and know who your children are communicating with online.

◾ Learn basic prevention tactics, and attend training sessions held by law enforcement.

◾ Encourage and support convicted sex offenders who are relatives to comply with 

their conditions of supervision, relevant restrictions, and the law. Learn about the 

crimes they were convicted of and the victim(s) they targeted. Use this information 

to make appropriate arrangements to help ensure the offender remains in compliance 

and any family members fitting the offender’s favored victim types are protected 

from harm. For example, if the offender has been convicted of committing sex crimes 

against children of a particular age range, ensure the offender does not come in 

contact with children of that age range. Refrain from allowing the relative to reside or 

stay in a residence that might put him or her in violation of restrictions. Make plans 

for the children to be away from the home during visits by that family member, or 

meet away from the children’s home. When planning family events, be certain the 

offender is not in jeopardy of being within proximity of prohibited distances. In some 

cases, this may mean an offender family member cannot attend graduation or other 

school functions.

What can I do as a member 

of this community?

Use all tools available to you, including law enforcement and community organizations, 

sex offender registries, and neighbors. The following examples list ways residents can 

do so:

◾ Report any observed or described violations by sex offenders to law enforcement 

immediately. Advise local authorities if a known sex offender is residing at an 

unreported address, observed loitering in prohibited areas, or actively engaging in 

prohibited behavior.

◾ Participate in law enforcement-led community meetings about sex offenders to learn 

about specific offenders in the community, wanted or absconded sex offenders, and 

tips for ensuring safety.

◾ Contact law enforcement about their sex offender management initiatives and 

prevention efforts. Attend relevant law enforcement and community-education 

workshops, read newsletters, and visit websites maintained by law enforcement. 

Another strategy is to volunteer to assist law enforcement with their prevention 

efforts. This helps to ensure your efforts are sanctioned by and not in contrast to 

their efforts.
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions 9

◾ Take an active role in detection. Talk with neighbors to find out what’s occurring 

in the community. Contact community or faith-based organizations that may 

provide guidance and support about this issue, such as neighborhood or crime-watch 

organizations. Talk with local schools about their awareness of sex offenders who live 

in the community and those who may attend local schools.

◾ Educate your neighbors or encourage them to become knowledgeable about the 

specific crimes, classification, tiers, risk levels, and registration requirements 

attributed to sex offenders in your state. Use your state’s sex offender registry 

website. These websites often contain the state’s legislation and requirements for 

sex offenders. If you become aware an offender has violated or is otherwise not in 

compliance with a particular law or regulation, contact local law enforcement and 

provide specific details. Obtain the names of the individuals you communicate with, 

in case you need to contact them again or if you are contacted for follow-up.
10 What You Need to Know About Sex Offenders in Your Community

Conclusion

Residents are community partners in efforts to help 

ensure public safety. In one respect, residents look to law 

enforcement to serve as protectors. On the other hand, 

residents can and do have active roles in helping to ensure 

the safety of their homes, properties, and communities. 

Therefore, forming partnerships is crucial for any community 

and should likewise be part of the activities that bring about 

solutions. This requires a concerted effort by law enforcement 

with community support to successfully reintegrate sex 

offenders and help ensure their compliance. An informed and 

empowered community is one tool in helping to ensure this 

success.

You are an 

essential 

partner in 

managing 

sex offenders 

in your 

community!
References 11

References

Beck, A. J. 2006. The Importance of Successful Reentry to Jail Population Growth.

Presented at the Urban Institute’s Jail Reentry Roundtable in Washington, D.C. 

www.urban.org/projects/reentry-roundtable/upload/beck.PPT.

Glaze, L. E., and T. P. Bonczar. 2010. Probation and Parole in the United States, 2009. 

Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, NCJ 231674. 

http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/ppus09.pdf.

OJP (Office of Justice Programs). 2008. The National Guidelines for Sex Offender 

Registration and Notification. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office 

of Justice Programs, Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, 

Registering, and Tracking. 

www.ojp.usdoj.gov/smart/pdfs/final_sornaguidelines.pdf.

Sabol, W., and H. C. West. 2010. Prisoners in 2009. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department 

of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, NCJ 231675. 

http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/p09.pdf.
12 What You Need to Know About Sex Offenders in Your Community

Resources

Center for Sex Offender Management (CSOM) 

www.csom.org

International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Sex Offender Management

www.theiacp.org/PublicationsGuides/Projects/ViolenceReductionStrategies/

SexOffenderManagement/tabid/493/Default.aspx

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)

www.missingkids.com 

The National Reentry Resource Center 

www.nationalreentryresourcecenter.org

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office)

www.cops.usdoj.gov

Office of Justice Programs (OJP). Corrections & Reentry 

www.crimesolutions.gov/TopicDetails.aspx?ID=2

Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, 

and Tracking (SMART) 

www.ojp.gov/smart

U.S. Marshals Service (USMS). Fugitive Investigations: Sex Offender Investigations 

Branch (SOIB) 

www.usmarshals.gov/investigations/index.html
About the COPS Office 13

About the COPS Office

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) is the component 

of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for advancing the practice of community 

policing by the nation’s state, local, territory, and tribal law enforcement agencies 

through information and grant resources. 

Community policing is a philosophy that promotes organizational strategies that 

support the systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques, to 

proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such 

as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime. 

Rather than simply responding to crimes once they have been committed, community 

policing concentrates on preventing crime and eliminating the atmosphere of fear it 

creates. Earning the trust of the community and making those individuals stakeholders 

in their own safety enables law enforcement to better understand and address both the 

needs of the community and the factors that contribute to crime.

The COPS Office awards grants to state, local, territory, and tribal law enforcement 

agencies to hire and train community policing professionals, acquire and deploy 

cutting-edge crime fighting technologies, and develop and test innovative policing 

strategies. COPS Office funding also provides training and technical assistance to 

community members and local government leaders and all levels of law enforcement. 

The COPS Office has produced and compiled a broad range of information resources 

that can help law enforcement better address specific crime and operational issues, and 

help community leaders better understand how to work cooperatively with their law 

enforcement agency to reduce crime.

◾ Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested nearly $14 billion to add community 

policing officers to the nation’s streets, enhance crime fighting technology, support 

crime prevention initiatives, and provide training and technical assistance to help 

advance community policing. 

◾ By the end of FY2011, the COPS Office has funded approximately 123,000 additional 

officers to more than 13,000 of the nation’s 18,000 law enforcement agencies across 

the country in small and large jurisdictions alike.

◾ Nearly 600,000 law enforcement personnel, community members, and government 

leaders have been trained through COPS Office-funded training organizations.

◾ As of 2011, the COPS Office has distributed more than 6.6 million topic-specific 

publications, training curricula, white papers, and resource CDs. 

COPS Office resources, covering a wide breath of community policing topics—from 

school and campus safety to gang violence—are available, at no cost, through its online 

Resource Information Center at www.cops.usdoj.gov. This easy-to-navigate website is 

also the grant application portal, providing access to online application forms. 
U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

145 N Street, N.E.

Washington, DC 20530

To obtain details on COPS Office programs, 

call the COPS Office Response Center at 800.421.6770.

Visit COPS Online at www.cops.usdoj.gov.

ISBN: 978-1-935676-57-7

e09111396

March 2012

Communities are often uncertain about the steps they can take to protect their families and neighborhoods from child sexual 

predators. What You Need to Know About Sex Offenders in Your Community is a powerful resource dedicated to helping 

community members understand their role regarding sex offender management. Uniquely written in a Q&A format, this 

guidebook poses five questions community members commonly ask law enforcement. The thought-provoking responses are 

intended to help residents address their concerns surrounding the presence of sex offenders in their communities.