Human Trafficking Presentation

Human Trafficking 
Presentation
Chandler Police Department
August 17, 2023

Historical Information
2014
o The Chandler Police Department recognized the horrific impact sexual exploitation and human 
trafficking is having in our community and began to dedicate resources to address it with the goal 
of providing awareness, bringing offenders to justice, and providing aide and resources to victims.
2015
o Council approved funding to create a dedicated Human Trafficking Unit (HTU) which now consists 
of a sergeant and 5 detective positions. 
Since its inception, The HTU is primarily focused on conducting investigations related to child sexual 
exploitation, john/prostitution operations and rescue operations.

Undercover Operations
Over the last year the Human Trafficking Unit has participated in dozens of undercover operations 
that are designed to increase our efforts in reducing crime associated with human trafficking.  Some 
of these operations include:
•
Predator operations focusing on buyers of sex with minors/children resulting in 40 arrests 
year to date.
•
Prostitution stings involving buyers of sex with adults ("john" ops), resulting in 25 arrests 
year to date.
•
Park operations focusing loitering, public sexual indecency, etc. in city parks resulting in 
10 arrests year to date.
•
Rescue operations identifying 25 potential sex trafficking victims and offering services to 
escape the prostitution lifestyle.

Undercover Operations, cont.
Additionally, the police department hosted two multi-agency Predator Operations in 2023, 
Operation Blue Wave '23 (Super Bowl) and Operation Creeper Sweeper. 
This was a collaborative effort among:
•
FBI’s Child Exploitation and Sex trafficking Task Force
•
Homeland Security Investigations (HIS)
•
Phoenix Police Department’s HEaT Unit
•
Mesa Police Department’s HEaT Unit
•
Tempe Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Program
•
Gilbert Police Department
•
Glendale Police Department
These operations resulted in 31 felony arrests.

CPD Detective Mike Russo is assigned to the FBI’s Human Trafficking Task Force and focuses 
his efforts on human trafficking and sexual exploitation investigations. 
While representing Chandler, Detective Russo has participated in dozens of successful 
human trafficking operations. Most recently, he participated in Operation Cross Country and 
Operation Clean House.  These were collaborative efforts between federal, state, and local 
law enforcement resulting in:
• 31 felony arrests for predators attempting to meet with juveniles 
• 5 juveniles recovered
• 1 trafficker arrested
Detective Russo has trained federal, state, and local officers across the country in undercover 
human trafficking investigations.  In December Det. Russo was recognized by FBI Director 
Christopher Wray for his efforts in conducting Human Trafficking investigations.
Special Assignments and Accomplishments

The Chandler HTU has partnered with the Arizona Anti Trafficking Network (AATN) to combine our 
efforts in public education and awareness of human trafficking.  The following community partners 
that benefit from this training include but are not limited to:
- Health and emergency services (Chandler Regional Medical Center, Banner Ocotillo and urgent     
care centers)
- The Chandler Unified School District
- ICAN
- Group/Foster Homes for troubled youth
- Chandler Fashion Mall management/employees
- Hotels/Motels
Our Victim Services Unit works in partnership with non-profits, to provide resources for all victims 
contacted who want to separate themselves from a life of prostitution: 
•
Arizona Trust 
•
Winged Hope
•
StreetLightUSA
Community Partners

City Council approved a $500,000 grant from the Arizona Department of Emergency and 
Military Affairs in June to help the Police Department combat human trafficking by 
supplementing existing police resources.
The grant will enable the Chandler Police Department to:
• Purchase state-of-the-art technology 
• Fund police department overtime and benefits needed to support the Human 
Trafficking Unit as it conducts complex operations and investigations
• Provide anti-human trafficking training and awareness to members of the community

Health and emergency services

Chandler Unified School District

Hispanic Outreach Forums in the fall and spring (added anti-human trafficking 
training and awareness to the agendas)
$500,000 ADEMA grant

Chandler partnering with a division of AATN called CEASE Arizona (Cites Empowered Against 
Sexual Exploitation). 
CEASE engages local governments through training, public policy development, sharing best 
practices and implementing innovative interventions aimed at reducing commercial sex 
transactions.
CEASE Arizona training designed to educate employees on how to recognize, report and 
prevent human trafficking crimes.
Cities that successfully train at least 75% of their employees on an annual basis are granted 
the prestigious CEASE Designation.
Chandler requiring CEASE training for all outward facing departments and employees and 
has a goal of reaching 85% participation city-wide within two (2) months.
CEASE Arizona

Human Trafficking 
Presentation
Questions?