More than 350 state, local, tribal, territorial, and international officers registered to attend the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers’ (FLETC) online Human Trafficking Awareness Training (HTAT) on Wednesday, September 8. While the training primarily focused on Nevada law enforcement, the class included officers from various law enforcement agencies in 37 states, as well as staff from nearly 40 congressional offices.
FLETC Deputy Director William Fallon provided opening remarks. Leadership from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) introduced the Center as a student resource. CCHT officially stood up in late 2020 and oversees the DHS mission to combat human trafficking and import goods produced with forced labor.
The virtual HTAT program provides participants an in-depth understanding of current indicators law enforcement may observe in industries known for human trafficking. The training consists of case studies, videos, and student-centered learning activities to enhance the learning experience. The training is online, creating a safe and secure environment with built-in social distancing.
The training was presented by FLETC instructors from both the Charleston and Glynco training delivery points. They worked with FLETC’s Office of State, Local and Tribal, the eFLETC team, and the FLETC Cheltenham Training Management team to deliver the virtual training.
The training included a panel of federal, state, local, and tribal human trafficking subject matter experts, including Nevada representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigations, local law enforcement, state and local prosecutors, and non-governmental organizations (NGO). Also included in this panel is tribal representation from the tribal police community and a tribal NGO victim services representative, allowing them to speak to the unique challenges the tribes in Nevada face in human trafficking. This part of the instruction introduced law enforcement to Nevada-based resources they can depend on to assist with suspected human-trafficking cases.
This class received strong support from the Nevada congressional delegation, including the following:
- “Human trafficking is a crime that transcends country and state borders. Combating it requires a concerted effort and a multi-faceted approach,” said U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen. “In Nevada, local law enforcement are continuously learning and improving their capabilities to address this issue in our communities. I’m grateful to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers for providing this critically important training to officers in Nevada and across the nation. This kind of partnership and cooperation is crucial to fighting human trafficking.”
- “The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers is doing incredible work training people to recognize the signs of human trafficking and stop this modern-day slavery,” added U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. “I asked FLETC to host this event because combating human trafficking in Nevada has been a top priority for me throughout my career as Attorney General and in the U.S. Senate. I’ll continue to work across the aisle to support law enforcement working to keep Nevadans safe.”
- “Human trafficking is a heinous crime that requires a whole-of-government approach to protect victims and swiftly prosecute perpetrators,” said Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04). “Over the past decade, Nevada law enforcement has identified hundreds of human trafficking cases, with many involving children. As Congress works on legislation to end trafficking, I applaud FLETC for helping law enforcement identify and respond to this crime. Together, we can expand resources for trafficking victims and keep our communities safe.”
FLETC began developing training on the signs and indicators of human trafficking in late 2009. In 2015, FLETC began incorporating human-trafficking awareness training into its basic programs for all new federal law enforcement officers and agents. In 2019, FLETC completed the development of its introductory HTAT program.
Since 2019, FLETC has delivered the HTAT to state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement in New Mexico, South Dakota, Washington state, Nebraska, New Jersey, Missouri, California, Massachusetts, Georgia, Alaska, Arkansas, Minnesota, and now Nevada.
FLETC provides career-long training to law enforcement professionals to help them fulfill their responsibilities safely and proficiently. This includes the distance-learning program eFLETC and the personnel on staff dedicated to supporting the eFLETC mission and FLETC training. Through strategic partnerships, FLETC prepares the federal law enforcement community to safeguard the American people, our homeland, and our values.
FLETC Deputy Director William Fallon provides opening remarks to law enforcement officers and agents attending FLETC’s virtual Human Trafficking Awareness Training on Sept. 8, at Glynco, Georgia. (FLETC OPA/Jason Lefevre)
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