West Covina Sex Offender Registry

West Covina sex offender registration is managed by the West Covina Police Department. Anyone who must register under California law reports to the police station at 1444 West Garvey Avenue. The department handles initial registrations, annual updates, and compliance checks for all city residents. You can search for registered sex offenders in your area using the state Megan's Law database. Enter your West Covina address and the online tool shows all nearby offenders. The city has over 105,000 residents. Registered offenders live in different parts of town. The search portal displays photos, physical descriptions, and conviction information for each person on a map view.

West Covina Police Department

The West Covina Police Department manages sex offender registration for people living in the city. The station is at 1444 West Garvey Avenue, West Covina, CA 91790. Call 626-939-8500 to reach the department. Officers answer questions and schedule appointments. Bring identification and proof of residence when you register.

West Covina is part of Los Angeles County. The city police handle registration for residents within city limits. If you live in an unincorporated area of the county, you register with the Los Angeles County Sheriff instead. The sheriff operates the REACT unit, which stands for Registration Enforcement and Compliance Team. REACT monitors registered sex offenders throughout the county.

Registration must happen in person. You cannot mail in your information or send someone else. The first registration occurs within five working days of release from custody or moving to a new address. After that, most people update once per year within five working days of their birthday. Transients update every 30 days. Sexually violent predators update every 90 days. Missing a deadline is a criminal offense.

Registration Process

When you register, an officer takes a current photo. They collect your address, phone number, and email. You must provide vehicle information including make, model, color, and license plate. If you use the internet, you report all email addresses and social media accounts. This includes Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other platforms. The officer also asks about your job and employer.

All this data goes into the California Sex and Arson Registry. The state database feeds the public Megan's Law website. Not everyone appears on the public site. Some registrants are excluded by law. But all must register with local law enforcement regardless of whether their information is posted online.

No fees apply to sex offender registration. California law prohibits charging any fee for this process. The police cannot charge you to register or to update your information. This applies at all levels of government. If an agency tries to charge a fee, report it to the Department of Justice.

Search Online

The best way to find sex offenders near you is the California Megan's Law website. Go to meganslaw.ca.gov and enter your address. The site shows all registered offenders in the area. You can adjust the search radius from a quarter mile to five miles. The map displays each offender's location with a pin. Click the pin to see details.

Each profile includes a photo, physical description, and the crimes that led to registration. The site lists the offender's tier. Tier One offenders register for at least ten years. Tier Two offenders register for at least twenty years. Tier Three offenders register for life. You can also see if the person is on parole or probation. Some profiles note GPS monitoring or other conditions.

Some addresses show as full street addresses. Others only display a zip code. A few are listed as undisclosed per court order. If you cannot find someone you think should be registered, call the West Covina Police Department. They can tell you if the person is in the system but excluded from public view.

Tier System Explained

California uses three registration tiers. The tier depends on the crime. Lower-level offenses like misdemeanor sexual battery typically fall into Tier One. More serious crimes like rape or lewd acts with a child are usually Tier Three. Tier One offenders register for at least ten years. Tier Two offenders register for at least twenty years. Tier Three offenders register for life.

Offenders in Tier One or Tier Two can petition the court to stop registering after they complete the minimum period. The court reviews the petition and decides whether to grant it. The person must have followed all registration rules and completed any required treatment programs. Tier Three offenders cannot petition for removal unless they get a pardon or other legal remedy.

Juveniles who commit sex offenses have different rules. Tier One juveniles register for five years. Tier Two juveniles register for ten years. Some juvenile offenders do not appear on the public website even though they must register with law enforcement. The law protects certain juveniles from public disclosure to help them rehabilitate.

California Law

Penal Code Section 290 is the main statute requiring sex offender registration. This law lists all crimes that trigger a registration requirement. It covers rape, sodomy, lewd acts with a minor, sexual battery, and many other offenses. Anyone convicted of these crimes must register as a sex offender. The registration period depends on the tier.

Update requirements are in Penal Code Section 290.012. Most people update once per year on their birthday. Some update every 30 or 90 days. Failing to update on time is a crime. Penalties include jail time and fines. Law enforcement treats registration violations seriously because accurate information is essential for public safety.

Penal Code Section 290.46 requires the Department of Justice to post sex offender information on the internet. This statute is the legal basis for the Megan's Law website. It explains what data can be shared with the public. Police can disclose name, address, photo, physical description, and details about the crimes. Vehicle information is also public.

Using registry information to harass or harm an offender is illegal. If you use data from the Megan's Law website to commit a crime, you face serious penalties. Felony misuse can result in five years in prison. Misdemeanor misuse carries fines from $10,000 to $50,000. Civil lawsuits are also possible. The registry is meant to protect the public, not to enable vigilante action.

County Resources

Los Angeles County provides additional resources through the sheriff and probation departments. The county probation department supervises many offenders who are on probation instead of parole. These individuals must follow strict rules. They attend treatment programs and submit to polygraph tests. Probation officers conduct home visits and employment checks.

The sheriff's REACT unit works across the county to monitor registered sex offenders. REACT officers verify addresses and employment. They also investigate violations. If someone fails to register or provides false information, REACT handles the case. You can reach REACT by calling 818-374-9675. The team helps local police departments manage high-risk offenders.

The county district attorney prosecutes registration violations. If the police or sheriff arrest someone for failing to register, the DA files criminal charges. Prosecutors take these cases seriously because offenders who do not comply with registration requirements pose a higher risk to the community.

State Programs

The California Department of Justice manages the statewide sex offender registry. Their website at oag.ca.gov/sex-offender-reg has forms, FAQs, and policy information. You can contact the DOJ by email at MegansLaw@doj.ca.gov if you have questions about the registry or need help with a specific issue.

The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation supervises sex offenders on parole. CDCR runs a GPS monitoring program that tracks parolees around the clock. All sex offender parolees wear electronic ankle bracelets. If they enter a restricted area like a school or park, the system sends an alert. Parole agents respond quickly to violations.

If you want to know if someone is in state prison, use the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search tool at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov. You can search by name or CDCR number. The results show the person's custody status, current location, and parole hearing dates. This is useful for tracking offenders who are still serving time before they are released and required to register.

National Registry

The U.S. Department of Justice operates a national sex offender registry at nsopw.gov. This tool searches databases from all 50 states. Use it if you think someone may have registered in another state before moving to California. The national registry helps track offenders who move around the country.

The national tool does not replace the state registry. Some states update their data more often than others. If you need current information about a California offender, use the state Megan's Law site first. The national tool is best for checking out-of-state registrations or finding someone who has lived in multiple states.

Reporting Violations

If you believe a registered sex offender is not following the rules, call the West Covina Police Department. Common violations include failing to update on time, providing a false address, and living too close to a school or park. The police investigate these complaints. They check whether the person is at the registered address. They also verify employment and vehicle information.

If a violation is confirmed, the police can arrest the offender and file charges. Registration violations are prosecuted as crimes. Penalties vary depending on the circumstances. The police and prosecutors take these matters seriously because offenders who do not follow the rules pose a risk to the community.

You can also report violations to the county sheriff or the Department of Justice. All agencies work together to monitor registered sex offenders and ensure compliance with state law. Keeping the registry accurate helps protect the public and makes the community safer.

Community Safety

Knowing about registered sex offenders in your area is one part of keeping your family safe. Talk to your kids about strangers and teach them to tell you if anyone makes them uncomfortable. Set clear rules about where they can go and who they can be with. Check the Megan's Law website regularly to stay informed about offenders near your home or your child's school.

You can also join a Neighborhood Watch group or attend community safety meetings. The police department sometimes holds sessions where they explain how the registry works and what residents can do to protect themselves. These meetings are free and open to the public. Check with your neighborhood association to find out when the next session is scheduled.

Nearby Cities

Sex offender registration information for other cities in the region:

Los Angeles | Pomona | El Monte | Downey