Montgomery County is one of the first five counties in Texas to partner with Human Trafficking Institute, per the release.
What you need to know
The initiative will provide law enforcement, prosecutors and frontline agencies with training, investigative tools and subject-matter expertise aimed at improving victim identification, case outcomes and long-term enforcement strategies, according to the release.
As stated in the release, the effort focuses on a victim-first approach, making sure survivors’ safety and well-being come first throughout the legal process.
“This training and partnership with [Human Trafficking Institute] are vital investments in Montgomery County’s ability to pursue traffickers and safeguard our most vulnerable—our children,” Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon said in the release. “By sharpening both our investigative and prosecutorial strategies, we are sending an unmistakable message: Montgomery County will never be a safe place for traffickers or anyone who seeks to exploit kids.”
Diving in deeper
The partnership began with a two-day training Sept. 8-9 at the Lone Star Convention Center in Conroe. Sessions covered Texas legal frameworks, proactive victim identification, advanced investigative techniques, digital evidence and cross-agency collaboration.
Agencies taking part included the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, several constable precincts, Conroe Police Department, Panorama Village Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, the Department of Family and Protective Services, Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office, Klein ISD Police Department, Shenandoah Police Department, Willis Police Department, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the Department of Licensing & Regulation and the Texas Office of the Governor.
“We are proud to partner with Montgomery County to bring this level of specialized training to local law enforcement. The commitment from law enforcement and prosecutors here is evident, and this week’s training marks an important step toward more effective enforcement across the county,” said Tyler Dunman, Human Trafficking Institute’s vice president of programs, in the release.
What’s next
The District Attorney’s Office and Human Trafficking Institute plan to continue hosting technical training sessions for law enforcement and prosecutors throughout the county. Officials said these efforts will build long-term capacity to better identify victims, investigate cases and hold traffickers accountable.
“We look forward to equipping our office with advanced training and skills to better identify and investigate human trafficking and complex child exploitation cases,” Montgomery County Sheriff Wesley Doolittle said in the release. “The more prepared our deputies are, the more effectively we can stop traffickers and protect victims in Montgomery County.”
