Sex Offender Notification and Tracking (SONET)
The Mesa Police Department's Sex Offender Notification Enforcement and
Tracking Team (SONET) is designed with some of the philosophies, which are
instilled and practiced with the department, along with new and innovative
approaches proven successful at the Center Against Family Violence.
The
Mesa Police SONET Team consists of four detectives. The name of
the team indicates the multi-faceted job responsibilities
involved in managing sex offenders who reside within our
communities. Notification is an obvious responsibility, since
June 1, 1996, legislation was enacted to address this community
need. Enforcement is another responsibility of this team.
Enforcing sex offenders is a complicated issue. The police
department is taxed with the responsibility of enforcing
offender registration and changing of address. We are also
charged with enforcing the criminal acts that these offenders
may commit when they re-offend. Without the tracking portion of
this team, the enforcement would be even more difficult.
The Mesa Police SONET Team will use the very successful
multi-disciplinary approach to investigations. Currently, the
Sex Offender Notification Unit requests the assistance of Adult
Probation and most cases are worked jointly between the
agencies.
Members of the Mesa Police SONET Team believe that this team
is one of the truest forms of Community Policing. Community
needs will be addressed continuously as we continue to find that
managing sex offenders continues to change. We welcome
suggestions from anyone and hope to be available to assist other
units whenever possible.
For additional information on the notification process or
notification laws, please visit the
Arizona Department of Public Safety Sex Offender InfoCenter.
Register with Mesa's OffenderWatch
program to receive notification via e-mail when sex
offenders move into your area.
Mesa Police Department
Center AgainstFamily Violence
PO Box 1466
Mesa, AZ 85211
480-644-4075