Policy Text
ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
GENERAL ORDER
This order consists of the following:
1. Purpose
2. Policy
3. Definitions
4. Procedures
1. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to outline procedures for recognizing, responding to, and
conducting an investigation of possible incidents of Human Trafficking. Additionally, it will
provide information on Federal immigration and information on obtaining a visa.
2. Policy
A. It is the policy of the Orange County Sheriff's Office to confirm that all individuals
within the jurisdiction of Orange County are protected in the exercise of rights and
privileges under the laws of the State of Florida and the United States.
B. The Sheriff's Office shall take an active role in conjunction with the agencies of the
Federal Government to confirm a complete and thorough investigation into possible
incidents of Human Trafficking.
3. Definitions
A. The " Trafficking Victims Protection Act " (TVPA), as amended and reauthorized
defines severe forms of human trafficking in persons as:
1. Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or
coercion or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained
18 years of age; or
2. The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person
for labor or services through the use of force, fraud, or coercion, for the
purpose of subjecting that person to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt
bondage, or slavery.
Note : In addition to the above criteria, the federal TVPA now makes provisions
allowing domestic (non -immigrant) citizens to be classified as trafficking victims.
Effective Date: April 8, 2024 Amends - GO 6.2.30 ( November 6, 2019 ) Number: 6.2.30
Distribution: All Sworn Personnel Review Month: May Reviewing Authority:
Sheriff / MBI / Legal Services
Subject: Human Trafficking, Immigration, and Visas
6.2.30, Page 2 of 5
B. Human Trafficking – Per FS 787.06 , is transporting, soliciting, recruiting, harboring,
providing, enticing, maintaining, purchasing, patronizing, procuring or obtaining
another person for the exploitation of that person.
4. Procedures
A. Criteria for Reporting an Actual or Suspected Case of Human Trafficking
1. In the event a deputy responds to the scene of an actual or suspected
incident of Human Trafficking, the deputy shall notify his supervisor of the
details surrounding the incident. There is a great likelihood that the deputy
will be responding to another crime such as, robbery, fraud, sexual battery,
prostitution, assault, kidnapping/false imprisonment, extortion, or battery.
Should this be the case, the responding deputy shall follow the current
written directives for the particular crime involved.
2. Upon the completion of the responding deputy’s initial investigation he/she
shall notify the on-call Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation’s (MBI) vice agent
of the actual or suspected incident of Human Trafficking. This notification will
be made prior to the deputy leaving the scene of the incident. MBI shall
determine if any follow -up investigation is needed.
B. Investigative Procedures
1. The responding deputy should attempt to establish if an incident of Human
Trafficking has occurred. To assist with that task, the following indicators
should be reviewed.
a. The victim’s living/ working conditions:
1. Live on or near work premises;
2. Large number of occupants for living space;
3. Restricted or controlled communication;
4. Not allowed to leave their worksite or home (look for bars on
windows, surveillance equipment, doors with locks on the
outside rather than the inside).
b. Victims may lack the following:
1. Personal items/possessions (All their belongings are in one
backpack, for example);
2. Private space (Multiple individuals sharing a small space, such
as mattresses on the floor, or only a sheet for a divider);
3. Cell phones, calling cards, passports or identification (as often
the suspect will hold these as a means of controlling the
victim);
4. Financial records;
5. Knowledge about how to get around in the community.
c. Personal Physical Indicators:
1. Injuries from beatings or weapons;
2. Signs of torture;
3. Fearful and/or reluctant to speak to police about who they are
or any other personal details.
C. A victim of Human Trafficking does not have to be an immigrant. Although the
majority of victims will not be U.S. citizens, the TVPA recognizes domestic trafficking
6.2.30, Page 3 of 5
victims, as well. This may include transients, homeless individuals, or teenage
runaways.
1. Other Indicators:
a. Someone else has possession of legal/travel documents;
b. Existing debt issues;
c. Third party who insists on interpreting (this may be the violator);
d. Security intended to keep victims confined.
2. Difference between Human Trafficking and Smuggling:
TRAFFICKING SMUGGLING
Must contain an element of force,