City of Fort Worth's FY10 Human Trafficking Task Force Initiative Program

Under this award, the City of Fort Worth will further enhance and operate a victim centered human trafficking task force in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney's Office, federal law enforcement, and their human trafficking services provider to identify and rescue victims of human trafficking and to proactively investigate human trafficking and prosecute traffickers. The primary goal of this program is to identify and rescue foreign victims of trafficking through a victim centered, proactive investigation strategy. The secondary goal is the interdiction of trafficking and the successful prosecution of traffickers.

The City of Fort Worth (City) will use the 2010 Human Trafficking Task Force Initiative funds to support personnel, overtime, and training for the Fort Worth Police Department's (FWPD) Human Trafficking Unit (HTU). The HTU consists of one civilian program coordinator and one police officer tasked with meeting the following goals and objectives: investigating possible human trafficking operations, rescuing potential human trafficking victims, providing local law enforcement with training in the identification of trafficking victims, and increasing public awareness on the issues related to human trafficking. Currently, the HTU has approximately 23 open cases under investigation. Additionally, there are 12 pending presentations that demonstrate a growing interest and awareness throughout the community. The continued funding will enable the city to maintain the streamlined, dedicated efforts aimed at eradicating human trafficking that the FWPD currently has in place.

CA/NCF