Human Trafficking

Under this award, the Phoenix Police Department 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 Office for Victims of Crime Human Trafficking Services provider to identify and rescue victims of human trafficking, proactively investigate human trafficking cases, 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 Phoenix Police Department will use the 2010 Human Trafficking Task Force Initiative funds to support overtime and travel for the Greater Phoenix Area Human Trafficking Task Force. The purpose of the Greater Phoenix Area Human Trafficking Task Force is to establish a victim centered approach to assist local law enforcement to identify, interdict, and investigate incidents of severe human trafficking that occur in Phoenix and the surrounding area. The 2010 grant will support partnerships already established with the United States Attorney's Office (Arizona District), several local law enforcement agencies, Federal Law Enforcement agencies, and existing non-governmental organizations that are actively involved in the rescue and restoration of victims of human trafficking.

The goals of the Greater Phoenix Area Human Trafficking Task Force include the enhancement of existing partnerships with local and federal law enforcement by providing training, equipment, technical assistance, and intelligence to assist them in the investigation of human trafficking cases. They will actively pursue proactive investigations targeting human traffickers; support the non-governmental organizations by responding to actionable information; and provide training in multi-disciplinary procedures, and protocols.

CA/NCF