BRENTWOOD, NY – On Jan. 17, during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) staff provided Human Trafficking Awareness Training (HTAT) in Brentwood (Long Island), New York. The training was done in cooperation with the Suffolk County Police and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of NY. A total of 80 officers from 30 agencies attended the training.

The HTAT program provides law enforcement with an in-depth understanding of the crime of human trafficking and highlights many of the primary indicators they may encounter throughout their shifts. The training consists of instruction, case studies, videos, and discussions to enhance the learning experience.

The trainings included panels of federal, state, and local human trafficking subject matter experts. Panel members included representatives from the Eastern District of New York United States Attorney’s Office, Suffolk County District Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau, Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations, Suffolk County Police Department, and Empowerment Collaborative of Long Island, Inc.

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.