COMMUNITY
NOTIFICATION
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CNAC)
(Notifying the public about high risk sex offenders)
What does CNAC do?
Who is on the
Committee?
How are offenders
referred to the Committee?
How does the Committee
look at a case?
What can the Committee
do?
What happens after a
recommendation has been made?
What can you do when
you see or hear a notification?
Further information
What does CNAC do?
The Community Notification Advisory Committee (CNAC) reviews cases of convicted sexual
offenders thought to be at high risk to offend again and advises police about whether the
public should be warned about such offenders living in the community. Manitoba was the
first province in Canada to set up this type of program.
Who is on the Committee?
The committee is made up of people from the criminal justice and mental health systems
who have the expertise to determine whether an offender is likely to commit further
crimes. It has representatives from the
RCMP,
Winnipeg
Police Service,
Brandon
Police Service, Manitoba Public Prosecutions, Manitoba Corrections,
Correctional
Services Canada and
Manitoba
Health. It also has a private citizen as a member to represent the interests of the
general public.
How are offenders referred to the Committee?
When a police agency learns that a potentially dangerous convicted sexual offender is
about to be released from jail, or is already living in the community, the situation is
investigated to determine if the offender poses a threat to commit another sexual offence.
If the police believe a threat exists, they refer the case to the committee for a
recommendation about whether the public should be warned. If possible, offenders are told
that their case has been referred to the committee and that a public notification may be
made. They are given an opportunity to make a written submission to the committee or get
someone to do so on their behalf.
How does the Committee look at a case?
When the committee considers a case, it must decide what risk the offender poses, if
the public should be warned and what type of warning should be made if it is needed. To
reach those decisions, the committee carefully reviews all of the information they can
about the offender, including:
- the offenders criminal record and psychological history;
- whether the offender has taken part in counselling or treatment programs;
- the age and sex of the offenders past victims;
- the offender's release plan or living arrangements; and
- what support and supervision services will be available for the offender.
Before deciding to name an offender publicly, the committee must also balance issues
such as individual privacy rights, the risks that come with public alarm and what the
effect on previous victims might be. The committees discussions and deliberations
are confidential.
What can the Committee do?
Once it has done a thorough review of the case, the committee can recommend one of the
following measures:
- Full Public Notification: This is the strongest action the committee
can recommend. It is a province-wide warning to all Manitobans, and includes a news
release to the major media outlets. A photograph of the offender, a physical description
of that person and the nature of their past offences may all be part of the public
warning.
- Limited Public Notification: This is almost the same as a full public
notification, except that the warning is limited to a specific community or group and the
media outlets in the area.
- Targeted Notification: This is a warning that is limited to a specific
community or group where there is no need to involve the media. This may be used for an
offender who only targets victims of a certain age or sex or those who live in a remote,
isolated community.
- No Notification: After reviewing the case, the committee may decide
that the offender does not pose a high risk or that in the circumstances a warning or
other action is not needed.
- Other Measures: The committee may recommend that police take other
steps to ensure community safety, such as surveillance, applying for a court order to keep
the offender from contacting children and other appropriate limitations.
What happens after a recommendation has been
made?
Once the committee has made a decision on a case, the recommendation is sent to the
police service that will handle it. The police then decide if action will be taken. The
police agency is ultimately responsible for what action is or is not taken. When it is
possible and appropriate, the police notify the offender and past victims before making a
public notification.
What can you do when you see or hear a
notification?
The purpose of public warnings is to give people the information they need to identify
potential dangers to themselves and their families, develop safety plans and street-proof
their children. THE WARNINGS ARE MADE ONLY SO THE PUBLIC MAY TAKE PROTECTIVE ACTION. THE
POLICE WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY FORM OF VIGILANTE ACTIVITY OR OTHER UNREASONABLE CONDUCT
DIRECTED AT AN OFFENDER. If you see the offender in public, you do not have to call the
police unless he or she is committing a crime, harassing or threatening someone or
behaving in a way that makes you think that there is a danger that he or she will commit a
crime.
People notified about an offender should review their own safety status and practices.
For example, it is always a good idea to stay away from poorly lit areas at night, ensure
doors and windows are locked, and make sure someone knows if you are working late and when
you should be home. Parents should ensure their children are aware of potentially
dangerous situations, such as being offered a ride, candy or money or being asked to help
find a lost pet. Children need to know what to do in these situations, and parents may
want to review these safety precautions when a public alert has been made.
Requests for further information can be directed to:
Community Notification Advisory Committee
Telephone: (204) 945-3272
Fax: (204) 945-0433
CNAC is a joint initiative of the
Province
of Manitoba,
RCMP,
Winnipeg
Police Service,
Brandon
Police Service and
Correctional
Services Canada.
![PublicNoticeChart_FR.JPG (55217 bytes)](/web/20061122042131im_/http://www.gov.mb.ca/justice/images/charteng.jpg)