Following ABC15’s investigation, the City of Flagstaff is creating new policies and requirements for all trafficking investigations, not just subdivisions.
An ABC15 investigation from last July revealed how two Flagstaff deputy officers infiltrated a massage parlor, removed their pants, and let each of them caress their bodies at least five times.
The operation was approved by federal officials, Coconino County prosecutors, and Flagstaff command staff.
City officials in Flagstaff have reiterated that they do not believe the officers’ actions on the massage table are illegal.
But human trafficking and sex trafficking experts, reviewing some reports and body camera footage, told ABC15 that officers appeared to have missed several “red flags.”
The city paid nearly $10,000 for an external review, which provided the city with many policy recommendations.
At its meeting on 20 June 2023, city council meeting, Leaders discussed changes resulting from external reviews and internal police assessments.
Many of the new Human Exploitation and Trafficking in Persons (HEAT) guidelines and policies are a direct result of the problems with the 2019 operation.
Under the new policy, leaders will:
- Create clear definitions of escorts, human trafficking, prostitution, massage parlors and victim-centered approaches
- Identify the qualifications of officers assigned to HEAT investigations
- Police Chief’s Approval and City Manager’s Notification Required Before HEAT Investigation
- Limited undercover investigations where other investigative tools are impractical
Undercover agents are currently prohibited from:
- commit a crime to cover up being a law enforcement agent
- undress during an investigation
- Engaging in any kind of sexual activity
“I think any of us could potentially have written it,” said CEO Jenna Panas. Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence. “You think these are just basic practices of good policy?”
Undercover investigators also ensure that they are satisfied with the plan in advance, interview potential trafficking victims, and provide evidence within 24 hours of obtaining the plan. There must be.
The final “evidence” requirement is included because multiple criminal cases in a 2019 investigation were dismissed by prosecutors after defense attorneys pointed out that police officers did not keep all the evidence video. because he was prosecuted.
The City is also working with the Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network to stop city. In April, the city of Flagstaff began in-person training for police and fire officials and online training for all other city officials to better identify and report human trafficking.
At least 75% of city officials need to be trained to achieve official “CEASE city” designation.
Panas and other Arizona experts told ABC15 that the city could do more to tackle human trafficking, including implementing ordinances that Flagstaff nonprofits spent months researching and crafting. He said he thought it might be possible.
“Them [business regulation ordinances] Other agencies and other cities have dealt with this issue very effectively without causing further harm to trafficking victims like sting operations,” Panas said.
The experts who drafted the ordinance told ABC15 that they sent a possible regulation to city administrators, the city council and the police chief in February, but have heard nothing since.
“These businesses will continue to exist and people will continue to be victimized and trafficked unless they make it so difficult that access to that market is no longer possible,” Panas said.
ABC15 asked the city administrator’s office by email why the ordinance proposed by the nonprofit was not discussed and adopted. A city spokesman declined to comment.
