FLETC Office of Public Affairs and Homestead Police Department (HPD)

Contact: FLETC fletc-opa@fletc.dhs.gov or HPD fernando.morales@homesteadpolice.com

HOMESTEAD, FL— On August 23, 2023, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) conducted Human Trafficking Awareness Training (HTAT) for state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers in Homestead, Florida.

The Homestead Police Department hosted the training, where other Department of Homeland Security components, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), collaborated with FLETC to deliver training and increase awareness about human trafficking.

More than 48 law enforcement officers from 15 different agencies attended the training. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (FL) and U.S. Representative Frederica Wilson (FL-24) provided video remarks welcoming participants.

“Delivering this comprehensive victim-centric training for participants to identify the warning signs of human trafficking effectively continues to be a top priority for FLETC,” said FLETC Deputy Director Kai Munshi. “FLETC’s commitment to combatting human trafficking, along with other participating organizations including the law enforcement community, provides a unique opportunity to increase awareness about human trafficking while discussing the importance of law enforcement having the tools and knowledge necessary to help safeguard our communities.”

FLETC began training on the signs and indicators of human trafficking in late 2009. In 2015 FLETC incorporated human trafficking awareness training into its basic programs for all new federal law enforcement officers and agents. Since 2018, over 15,000 individuals participated in FLETC’s HTAT program.

The HTAT program provides law enforcement with an in-depth understanding of the crime of human trafficking and multiple indicators they may observe in industries known for human trafficking. The training includes case studies, videos, and student-centered activities to help enhance the learning experience.

“The Homestead Police Department welcomes the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers to the City of Homestead to provide much-needed training in human trafficking to local Law Enforcement,” said Captain Fernando Morales of the Homestead Police Department. “Human Trafficking is growing at an alarming rate. This training provides local law enforcement with the tools to identify the signs of human trafficking and assists in the investigation along with resources for victims of human trafficking.

In partnership with the DHS Blue Campaign, every HTAT presentation is designed to educate and help raise awareness of human trafficking in efforts to combat the heinous crime. HTAT expands on the educational resources provided by the Blue Campaign to maximize law enforcement engagement on anti-human trafficking efforts.

The HTAT training curriculum is divided into two sections. The first half is instructor-led and focuses on definitions, indicators, and reporting protocols for human trafficking. The second half includes a panel of federal, state, and local subject matter experts, including representatives from the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office, HSI, Miami-Dade Police Department, the local police Human Trafficking Task Force, and Victim Advocate groups. This part of the instruction presents the different roles and resources agencies can provide to assist law enforcement with suspected human-trafficking situations.

A component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FLETC provides career-long training to law enforcement professionals to help them fulfill their responsibilities safely and proficiently. Through strategic partnerships, FLETC prepares the federal law enforcement community to safeguard the American people, property, and institutions.

A component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FLETC provides career-long training to law enforcement professionals to help them fulfill their responsibilities safely and proficiently. Through strategic partnerships, FLETC prepares the federal law enforcement community to safeguard the American people, property, and institutions

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Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers
Office of Public Affairs
Contact: 912-267-2447