Another Year Of Increased Arrests

For Registered Sex Offenders

The Connecticut Sex Offender Registry Unit completed 319 investigative reports on registered sex offenders in violation of their registry requirements during the 2005 calendar year. These reports were forwarded to local law enforcement agencies where they were utilized to complete arrest warrant applications.

There were 196 arrests for registry violations in Connecticut in 2005, an increase of 86 arrests from the previous year and nearly four times as many as in 2003, with 55 arrests that year. This marks the third year of significant increases in the number of arrests for registry violations since the State Police Sex Offender Registry Unit began an enforcement initiative in March 2003.

Persons required to register under Connecticut’s sex offender registry laws must verify their address every 90 days. The registrants have ten days to return address verification forms to the Sex Offender registry or face arrest for a Class D felony.

Violations are then reported to the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the registrant’s residence. These agencies then apply for arrest warrants for the violations.

The State Police committed additional resources to the registry unit to address the backlog of investigative reports. The reporting format used by the registry unit assists local law enforcement agencies and provides sufficient detail for the warrant applications.

On March 23, 2006, more than 100 police officers from departments throughout the state met at the State Police Academy to take part in a training course, “Managing Sex Offender Registrations for Agency Liaisons.” These law enforcement professionals contribute to the success of Connecticut’s version of Megan’s Law. Their role is vital in tracking more than 4,100 registered sex offenders in the state of Connecticut.

Attendees examined current registry laws, discussed classification of registrants, registry restrictions and exemptions, and examined community notifications procedures and enforcement of violations.

Questions regarding the registration of sex offenders in Connecticut or additional information on a registered sex offender that appears to be in violation should be directed to the sex Offender Registry Unit at 1111 Country Club Road, Middle CT 06457-9294, by phone at 860-685-8060, or by email at sex.offender.registry@po.state.ct.us. Registry records are also available at local police departments for registrants living within that department’s jurisdiction.

To access the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry website visit state.ct.us/dps.