Motor carrier officers are the division of the Michigan State Police who enforce traffic safety laws on commercial vehicles. Next week, they’ll be teaming up with their colleagues in law enforcement, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and Truckers Against Trafficking to educate motorists and commercial drivers alike about the signs of human trafficking.
Patrick Morris, Assistant Commander with the MSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division says this education is the first step in the fight against human trafficking.
“If something doesn’t look right or feel right or sound right, then usually there’s something more to it and it isn’t right, therefore at least have the capability or know-how to call.”
Since 2007, there have been almost 9,000 calls reporting human trafficking in Michigan alone, involving over 5,000 victims. Morris says that the old adage of, “If you see something, say something,” is a good rule to follow.
“It’s not something that is always easily recognized unless you’re educated for it, but once you’re educated on it and you witness it, then it becomes pretty clear.”
The Michigan State Police first partnered with Truckers Against Trafficking in 2015 and since then, the partnership has been recognized as a national leader in human trafficking awareness and education.
To report suspected trafficking, you can call the National Human Trafficking Resources Center at 888-373-7888 or text BeFree to 233733.
