11.B.
City Council Draft Agenda
- Meeting Date:
- 06/20/2023
- From:
- Shannon Anderson, Senior Deputy City Manager
TITLE
Flagstaff Police Department (FPD) Policy on Human Exploitation and Trafficking
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Inform City Council about the new policy on Human Exploitation and Trafficking
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City of Flagstaff hired LD Consulting to complete an assessment of the FPD vice crime related policies, procedures and practices, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Task Force Agreements, and audio and video recording procedures. LD Consulting provided recommendations and this presentation will outline those recommendations and demonstrate how the new policy implements them.
An update will also be provided on the City's progress towards the City's Empowered Against Sexual Exploitation (CEASE) designation.
An update will also be provided on the City's progress towards the City's Empowered Against Sexual Exploitation (CEASE) designation.
INFORMATION:
LD Consulting completed a Flagstaff Police Department policy assessment in December 2022. Their recommendations included updating the cross references between the vice policies and the FPD policy manual, addition of vice and prostitution policies, and handling of undercover audio/visual evidence. In addition to the policy references provided by LD Consulting the City researched other related policies for review and consideration.
The City also consulted with the Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network and Flagstaff Initiative Against Trafficking staff members requesting their feedback and input into the policy.
This policy establishes guidelines to conduct investigations related to prostitution, human trafficking, public sexual activity offenses, and other criminal activity involving massage parlors and escort services. The policy includes definitions, qualifications and responsibilities of assigned personnel, operational plans, and approval processes.
To support anti-trafficking the City began educating all City employees on how to identify and report human trafficking. According to the National Trafficking Hotline, in 2021 Arizona ranked 13th in the country with 651 reports of human trafficking tips. These latest numbers show officials identified 217 cases and 337 victims. This training is key for all of us to understand what we can do to be part of the solution to end human trafficking. Seventy-five percent of the City of Flagstaff organization must complete the CEASE Arizona 2023 Flagstaff training in order to receive the CEASE City designation.
The City also consulted with the Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network and Flagstaff Initiative Against Trafficking staff members requesting their feedback and input into the policy.
This policy establishes guidelines to conduct investigations related to prostitution, human trafficking, public sexual activity offenses, and other criminal activity involving massage parlors and escort services. The policy includes definitions, qualifications and responsibilities of assigned personnel, operational plans, and approval processes.
To support anti-trafficking the City began educating all City employees on how to identify and report human trafficking. According to the National Trafficking Hotline, in 2021 Arizona ranked 13th in the country with 651 reports of human trafficking tips. These latest numbers show officials identified 217 cases and 337 victims. This training is key for all of us to understand what we can do to be part of the solution to end human trafficking. Seventy-five percent of the City of Flagstaff organization must complete the CEASE Arizona 2023 Flagstaff training in order to receive the CEASE City designation.