Governor Kay Ivey awarded a grant of nearly $200,000 to a non-profit organization on Wednesday that provides training to law enforcement for combating sex trafficking.
Covenant Rescue Group, based in Jefferson County, trains law enforcement agencies statewide. Its instructors are former law enforcement officers and special operations veterans. In addition to training, the organization provides initial surveillance and rescue operations and offers referrals to victims for support and recovery.
“Our men and women in law enforcement should have access to tools and techniques that help them protect the people in their communities from exploitation,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to award this grant to an organization working to stop those criminals who seek to victimize vulnerable people.”
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Many law enforcement agencies may lack the resources and expertise to investigate or respond to this type of crime,” ADECA director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in support of these and other efforts to crack down on sex trafficking.”
ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation and recreation.
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