Saskatoon police launch new human trafficking response team

The Saskatoon Police Service’s new human trafficking response team is up and running.

In a media release Friday, the police said their Victim Services Unit had received 2.5 years worth of federal funding for the new team, which will comprise two full-time positions.

“The Human Trafficking Responder will work alongside the SPS Vice unit investigators to provide immediate and specialized support to victims and survivors of Human Trafficking as well as assisting the Victim in navigating and understanding the justice system, therefore increasing the chance of conviction,” the release said.

“The Human Trafficking Liaison will work in partnership with our Indigenous Resource Officers, and other identified community partners to develop and deliver trauma-informed training for prosecutors and first responders in order to enhance the detection, investigation and prosecution of human trafficking incidents in Saskatoon and throughout the province of Saskatchewan.”

According to police, people have been hired to fill both positions. The liaison started earlier this week, and the responder is expected to start work in May.