Tools for Undercover Investigations, Victim Identification and Prosecution

In the last decade, the human trafficking landscape has changed drastically and become more violent and controlling of the victim. Victims of human trafficking have no specific race, color, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or religion and has revealed victims as young as 11.  It is essential to understand how covert operations are used to identify and apprehend trafficking suspects, coordinate prosecutorial efforts with specific DAs, and give the necessary resources to the victim to help them escape the life of violence and abuse.

Law enforcement can’t accomplish this mission of dismantling human trafficking alone, it is essential that a thriving partnership exist between local police, federal authorities, district attorneys, attorney general’s office, and victim centered nonprofits that aid in victim rescue and maintenance. There has been a growing number of victims being contacted by online predators, in conjunction with traditional in person methods at clubs, schools, malls and airports, therefore, there has been a higher demand for law enforcement to take a proactive role in combatting these online predators.

In this class the instructor, Assistant Sheriff Sasha Larkin with the Las Vegas Metro Police Department who is highly experienced in human trafficking operations, will identify the crime of human trafficking through definitions, laws, experience, and online video platforms.  The elements of adult sex trafficking, Grand Larceny Trick Role, and what it means to be a victim will also be thoroughly discussed.

These topics are covered through a slide presentation, lecture, discussion, and practical application. The class is designed to give students the tools and knowledge needed to return to their law enforcement agencies and conduct successful undercover sting operations.

Course topics will include but not be limited to:

• Vice Section Responsibilities

• Defining Sex Trafficking

• What is “Pandering”

• Identifying a trafficking victim

• Defining “Trick Rolls”

• Victimless Proactive Trafficker Intervention

• Undercover Operations

• Case studies of mass scale counter-trafficking operations at large events

• Understanding victims and providing appropriate assistance.