The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) provided online instruction in human trafficking awareness to more than 60 members of the Omaha and broader Nebraska law enforcement community on Thursday, May 14. U.S. Representative Don Bacon (NE-02) provided opening remarks via video.
Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. It can happen in any community and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality.
In late 2009, at the request of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leadership, FLETC began developing training on the signs and indicators of human trafficking. In 2015, FLETC incorporated human trafficking awareness training into its basic programs for all new federal law enforcement officers and agents. In 2019, FLETC completed development of its Introductory Human Trafficking Awareness Training Program (HTAT), which it piloted with online delivery today.
“We’ve actually taken the COVID-19 operating environment and turned it into an opportunity for us,” said FLETC Deputy Director William Fallon. “We have done a couple of human trafficking awareness trainings out in the field, and this one today is the first time we’re going to run the whole program online.”
Instructor Andrew O’Neill, law enforcement specialist, FLETC-Cheltenham In-Service & Tactics Branch, echoed that sentiment during his introduction to the class. “When coronavirus hit, Assistant Director Darren Cruzan, National Capital Region Training Operations Directorate asked us to develop this into a virtual class and that’s what you guys are getting today. You’re the first state we’ve pushed this through.”
The HTAT program provides students an in-depth understanding of current indicators that law enforcement and the private sector 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.
“What we’re trying to do is just give you the tools and resources you need to identify those indicators and then connect you with regional subject matter experts,” said Cruzan.
The FLETC HTAT also includes a facilitated panel of regional federal, state, and local human trafficking subject matter experts, including local Omaha subject matter experts from Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation Human Trafficking Task Force, state and local prosecutors, and victim services non-governmental organizations. The goal is to introduce students to local resources they can depend on to assist with suspected human trafficking cases they may encounter.
“We developed the second half of the program to be a panel discussion,” said Fallon. “We just want to make sure that everybody … knew the resources in their local community that they had to take the next steps. What we’ve done is we’ve brought together prosecutors, investigators, and advocacy groups as well at the federal, state, and local level.”
FLETC has provided this awareness training to its own FLETC staff, and has exported training programs to New Mexico and South Dakota state and local law enforcement partners. Additional online training opportunities are scheduled in the coming weeks with law enforcement in Washington State and New Jersey.
“As Deputy Director Fallon mentioned earlier, and I want to reiterate, our appreciation to Congressman Bacon and his team,” said Cruzan. “We appreciate the fact that he is championing these causes not only back home but in Washington D.C. as well.”
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