Procedure 713-Human Trafficking

Question 1

.01 This procedure establishes guidelines for identifying possible victims of Human Trafficking, for managing a potential crime scene, and;

Answer 1

reporting the situation to the appropriate follow up unit.

Question 2

.03A. Most human trafficking cases do not start off as an investigation into Texas Penal Code Sec. 20A.02.,Trafficking of Persons. They start off as an investigation into;

Answer 2

some other reported offense; such as a suspicious person call or some type of disturbance.

Question 3

.03A. Some investigations start off when the victim is apprehended for a;

Answer 3

separate offense, such as prostitution or shoplifting.

Question 4

.03A. This may also be the case when the victim is identified as a witness to a crime and the victim makes a statement or outcry that;

Answer 4

leads the officer to believe the person may be a victim of human trafficking.

Question 5

.03B. The victim in a Human Trafficking case may not identify him or herself as a victim. Some reasons for this include:

Answer 5

The victim’s belief that the government, especially the police, will arrest and deport them if they
come forward;

Question 6

.03B. Some victims, even those beaten and sexually abused, believe their current situation is;

Answer 6

better than the one they left behind in their previous homes or countries of origin;

Question 7

.03B. Victims may believe it is their fault they are in their present situation because;

Answer 7

they initially agreed to come to this country illegally;

Question 8

.03B. Cultural differences and differences in the law of their countries of origin;

Answer 8

may also lead to them not making an outcry;

Question 9

.03B. The victim fears that the trafficker will;

Answer 9

punish them or their families.

Question 10

.03B. Many victims have children who are in the control of the trafficker and other family in their countries of origin who remain;

Answer 10

within reach of the trafficker or the trafficker’s organization.

Question 11

.04A. While speaking to persons, members should remain alert to notice when something is not right or out of the ordinary, such as the;

Answer 11

victim appears to be under the control of another person.

Question 12

.04A. When an officer asks a question, another person answers for the victim or the victim’s responses appear to be coached.

Answer 12

Signs that the victim may be under the control of another person

Question 13

.04A. Physical injuries and no or unlikely explanations, and victims appear afraid, depressed, or unconcerned with what is occurring around them.

Answer 13

Signs that the victim may be under the control of another person

Question 14

.04A. The victim does not have freedom of movement or may be monitored when away from the trafficker. They are not allowed to socialize with others.

Answer 14

Signs that the victim may be under the control of another person.

Question 15

.04A. The victims may appear to have been deprived of food or medical care and may appear
malnourished or ill.

Answer 15

Signs that the victim may be under the control of another person.

Question 16

.04A. The juvenile victim may refer to a much older person as her “boyfriend” or give a familial
relationship to a person not legally related to her (“daddy,” “uncle,” etc.).

Answer 16

Signs that the victim may be under the control of another person

Question 17

.04A. The victim may be dependant on drugs which the trafficker uses;

Answer 17

as a means of keeping victims under control.

Question 18

.04A. The victim may have no identification or passport in his/her possession and give implausible
explanations of what happened to their identification, because the;

Answer 18

trafficker is likely to be in possession of these documents.

Question 19

.04A. If the person is a juvenile engaged in a commercial sex act or is being compelled into prostitution, they shall;

Answer 19

be evaluated as a potential victim of human trafficking.

Question 20

.04B. The location an officer responds to may indicate that it’s being used for;

Answer 20

human trafficking.

Question 21

.04B. Use of guards or watchmen;

Answer 21

Indicator a location is being used for human trafficking

Question 22

.04B. Large amounts of paper towels, toilet paper, or other cleaning items near the beds; and

Answer 22

Indicator a location is being used for human trafficking.

Question 23

.04B. Any locks on the door which is designed to lock people in and not to lock people out;

Answer 23

Indicator a location is being used for human trafficking

Question 24

.04B. Fencing designed to keep people inside rather than keeping them out;

Answer 24

Indicator a location is being used for human trafficking

Question 25

.04B. Sleeping arrangements such as bunk beds or single “rooms,” possibly with curtains or doors for privacy;

Answer 25

Indicator a location is being used for human trafficking

Question 26

.04B. Large quantity of condoms readily available by the beds.

Answer 26

Indicator a location is being used for human trafficking

Question 27

.04C. Some questions that may be asked of a suspected human trafficking victim to confirm that an investigation is needed 1 through 3.

Answer 27

1. Do you know what city you are in?
2. Are you doing the job that you were promised?
3. Are you free to come and go?

Question 28

.04C. Some questions that may be asked of a suspected human trafficking victim to confirm that an investigation is needed 4 though 5:

Answer 28

4. Are you hit or punished by your boss or others who live or work with you?
5. Has anyone threatened to hurt you or your family if you did not work here or do what they say?
6. Has anyone taken pictures of you and posted them on the internet?

Question 29

.05A. Officers should be alert to the Indicators of Human Trafficking while responding to any call. Attention should be given to:

Answer 29

1. Watchmen or security guards, including riflemen, stationed in windows or on nearby rooftops; and
2. Barbwire fences where the barb is angled to keep people inside the property.

Question 30

.05B. If members have reason to believe that they may have encountered a human trafficking case, they shall immediately summon sufficient law enforcement personnel:

Answer 30

1. To protect all officers present;
2. To protect any victims present;
3. To detain any suspects;
4. To protect any crime scenes.

Question 31

.05C. Since many Human Traffickers are affiliated with criminal organizations, they often have contacts in other countries and the means to flee the United States quickly. Therefore;

Answer 31

expedient identification and apprehension of actors is critical

Question 32

.05D. Human traffickers may be armed and feel that they have nothing to lose by harming or killing a law
enforcement officer who attempts to arrest them, and;

Answer 32

believe they will not be caught because they can exit the country undetected.

Question 33

.06A. Once the member suspects he has encountered a human trafficking case, the member will ensure that the appropriate;

Answer 33

follow up unit (Sex Crimes Unit during their normal duty hours or Night CID during their normal duty hours) is immediately notified

Question 34

.06A. Members must remain aware that the suspects in human trafficking will do whatever it takes to convince the officer that;

Answer 34

nothing is going on and to get the officer to leave as soon as possible.

Question 35

When evaluating a possible case of human trafficking, members will seek the guidance of;

Answer 35

a supervisor or follow-up unit Detective.

Question 36

.06C. When members receive information of a possible human trafficking case from a third party, members will immediately;

Answer 36

notify the appropriate follow-up unit to relay the information and for further guidance.

Question 37

.10A. Once the member suspects he has encountered a human smuggling case, the member will notify Sex Crimes Unit during their normal duty hours or Night CID and ensure Procedures 602 Juveniles and 610 Missing Persons;

Answer 37

are followed regarding juveniles including checking the juvenile status as missing or run away.

Question 38

.10B. Human Smuggling cases usually require the response of a federal law enforcement agency. Members will cooperate with these federal agencies as;

Answer 38

appropriate and within the bounds of the department’s rules and regulations, policies and procedures.

Question 39

.12C. Notify and coordinate with federal authorities and provide assistance as necessary and within the bounds of the;

Answer 39

department’s rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Members will seek the guidance of a supervisor if questions arise.

Question 40

.13 Supervisory Officer’s Responsibilities in a Suspected Human Smuggling Case

Answer 40

A. Ensure applicable procedures are followed.

B. Respond to requests for guidance and direction in suspected cases.