Police Department
Reference: Presentation by Chief Southard regarding an agreement with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office providing the Brighton Police Department with access to their Sex Offender Tracking and Registration system, aka SOTAR.
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Marv Falconburg, Acting City Manager
Prepared By: Paul Southard, Chief of Police
Date Prepared: November 26, 2019
PURPOSE
To retain access to the Douglas County Sheriff’s sex offender management system. Douglas County will provide the Brighton Police Department non-exclusive, limited access to SOTAR. Access provides the Brighton Police Department the ability to input and view data only available to law enforcement personnel. This includes access to all data input by jurisdictions that participate in SOTAR.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA
Safe, Active and Engaged Community
BACKGROUND
Douglas County, in partnership with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, developed a system to manage and exchange information regarding sex offenders. The Brighton Police Department accesses this software to view and input data related to registered sex offenders. While SOTAR is available to the general public via the internet, the public is only able to view limited information.
For the past 13 years Douglas County has absorbed all costs for the SOTAR program. Unfortunately, Douglas County can no longer continue to fully fund the maintenance and feature upgrades required to advance the program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Beginning January 1, 2020 Douglas County will begin charging a licensing fee for agency access. The fee is based on population. Brighton’s population falls in the 10,001-50,000 range placing the annual cost at $2000.00 per year. The initial term of the Agreement shall commence as of January 1, 2020 through December 31st, 2020. The agreement shall renew automatically for each subsequent calendar year, unless terminated.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
1) Approval of the agreement allows the Brighton Police Department access to a program vital to the registration and management of sex offenders. SOTAR will provide critical data related to tracking Brighton registrants and registrants from other jurisdictions who should be registering in Brighton. It also allows us to view past registrations.
2) Rejection of the Intergovernmental Agreement will limit the Brighton Police Department’s access to the database therefore limiting access to registrant information compiled in other jurisdictions.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the IGA. Participation in the SOTAR system broadens the Police Department’s reach when it comes to identification and tracking of registered sex offenders and those who fail to register.
ATTACHMENTS
• Douglas County IGA
• Resolution