RESEARCH
Officers reported the lack of good intelligence and operational guidance through policy and training was frustrating . When they conducted investigations and learned prosecutors would not take the cases , they responded by focusing on those cases that are more likely to be prosecuted .
Role of Law Enforcement in Responding to Trafficking Crimes While officers were less likely to initiate investigations , they did create ways to serve the victims beyond arrest and prosecution . Social service agencies and trafficking survivors described how officers networked with other service providers to ensure victims received support . Some of the services they helped coordinate included ‘ housing , food , clothing and legal assistance .’ By helping individuals to transfer from victimization to safety , officers provide a critical service to ensure successful transition . In the end , these efforts often provided more positive outcomes than investigative efforts .
This research provided insight into an issue many agencies have little exposure . While highlighting some of the issues complicating investigations , the authors offered suggestions where officers have been effective as well as techniques agencies may explore to improve their response capability .
Amy Farrell , Katherine Bright , leke de Vries , Rebecca Pfeffer , and Meredith Dank , “ Policing Labor Trafficking in the United States ”, Trends in Organized Crime , ( 2020 ) Volume 23 , pp . 36 – 56 .
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