Kennewick Police Department Sex Offender Notification 211 W

Kennewick Police Department Sex Offender Notification 211 W 6 TH AVE P. O. BOX 6108 KENNEWICK, WA 99336 (509) 585 -4208 FAX (509) 582 -9528 KPDINFO@CI. KENNEWICK. WA. US

All police units and personnel operate under a unified Mission Statement, “Committed to your Safety. ” We also recognize prevention of crime and disorders are our first priority.

Officer Allan Knox Officer Knox has been a Patrol Officer and a Detective for the department for 24 years. He requested the assignment of Sex Offender Notification Officer in 2006. A typical day for Officer Knox is monitoring of sex offenders living in Kennewick by doing periodic checks in their homes (30 -40 monthly), notifying community members through media and mail notification of sex offender status, assisting Department of Corrections with SO’s on probation and community education presentations.

OFFICER KNOX LIKES TO KEEP HIS COMMUNITY SAFE. HE HAS DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO THE DEPARTMENT AND HIS COMMUNITY. HIS POSITION AS SEX OFFENDER NOTIFICATION OFFERS HIM ANOTHER WAY TO HELP KEEP FAMILIES SAFE. HE FELT THERE WHERE NO “DISLIKES” HE COULD NAME.

Revised Code of Washington (RCW) explains laws pertaining to release of information by LE to the public � RCW 4. 24. 550 In 1990, Washington State developed this legislation to allow law enforcement agencies to notify the community about sex offenders living in our communities. Provide sex offender’s information to include the crime of conviction, and the hundred block of their address. (Officer Knox mails notification to residents within the hundred block when an SO moves into the neighborhood)

Sex Offender Levels � Level I (Lowest) - Low risk to re-offend � Level III - Moderate risk to re-offend High risk to re-offend

Sex Offender requirements to register � RCW 9 A. 44. 130 Any individual convicted of any sex or kidnapping offense or an individual who has been found not guilty by reason of insanity of committing a sex or kidnapping offense is required to register with the county sheriff’s office.

Usual Conditions of Release after Prison Report to Community Corrections Officer � Work at DOC approved activities � Not possess/consume illicit substances � Pay supervision fees � Remain within DOC approved area � Show compliance with DOC monitoring � Submit to urine testing. � Participate in a sex offender treatment program. � No contact with children under 18 years old � Cannot possess pornographic materials �

Victims under 12 years old 93% KNEW THEIR ABUSER

Prevention � � Officer Knox firmly believes that being a part of your children’s life keeps you informed and aware of what is going on in their world. His tips for keeping kids safe are: -Keep open communication with kids -Talk to them about any inappropriate touching - Assure them that it is not their fault - Explain to them they will never be in trouble for talking.

Community Resources and Education OFFICER KNOX WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE KENNEWICK SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE CENTER TO PROVIDE RESOURCES TO VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES. HIS RECOMMENDATION FOR FUTURE SOCIAL WORKERS IS TO KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND FACILITATE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS.

Officer Knox was very informative and passionate about making me informed with additional information to carry back to the class. He believes that a lack of public awareness is part of the cause for sexual assaults � Other topics we covered were: � Megan’s Law � End of Sentencing Review levels are determined. Boards ( How SO

Public Information Meeting on Registered Sex Offenders 405 South Dayton, The Kennewick Public Library Officer Allan Knox (585 -4470) will host a public information meeting at the library. This is the monthly meeting that is held the second Wednesday of each month at this location. The meetings typically last around an hour. � Topics include: � What is a Registered Sex Offender? � How long must they remain listed as a Registered Sex Offender? � Where are they allowed to live? � Can they be around children? � What should I do if there is a Registered Sex Offender in my neighborhood? � Also present to help answer questions will be representatives from the Washington Department of Corrections (DOC). � The Sexual Assault Response Center (SARC) will also be present to share information on the various services that they have to offer. This includes victim assistance, talking to children about stranger danger, etc.

Victims Services � http: //www. wcsap. org/pdf/csap 2005. pdf � This link provides all the sexual assault programs in WA state

Sex Offender Website Information � City of Kennewick www. ci. kennewick. wa. us � Benton County www. co. benton. wa. us/sex � Franklin County www. co. franklin. wa. us � Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs http: //ml. waspc. org � National Center for Missing & Exploited Children www. missingkids. com

One final question I asked was, How do you handle any Secondary Trauma associated with the position? � He responded with two ways: � Get victims the help they need to be able to effectively address what has happened to them � Treat everyone involved with respect, including the perpetrator. � He feels if he has done these two things then he can move forward and know he has done everything he can to help prevent further assault.