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Colorado State Patrol Motor Carrier Safety Section named TAT Champion in the State Agency Category
The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) Motor Carrier Safety Section has received the 2023 TAT Champion Award in the State Agency Category. Kylla Lanier, TAT deputy director and senior director of Public Sector Engagement, presented the award at the fall conference of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA).
Recognizing that many warriors must be engaged for the fight against human trafficking to be successful, TAT has turned to the members of the trucking, bus and energy industries, as well as to law enforcement, grantors, funders and other like-minded organizations and associations to empower and mobilize what are critical populations in this fight. Recognizing that many warriors must be engaged for the fight against human trafficking to be successful, TAT has turned to the members of the trucking, bus and energy industries, as well as to law enforcement, grantors, funders and other like-minded organizations and associations to empower and mobilize what are critical populations in this fight.
From among its partners each year, TAT selects “champions” in three separate categories to recognize and honor for their creative, innovative and generous actions, which have significantly furthered TAT’s work in the fight to end this crime, recover more victims and prosecute more perpetrators.
In presenting the award, Lanier cited CSP’s firm commitment to TAT’s mission, consistent training of their own officers and “willingness to jump at any opportunity” to further their outreach to raise awareness about this crime and how industry members can be trained to make a difference. Examples of their actions include:Working systematically to implement the elements of the Iowa MVE Model, and achieving full adoption very quickly. Sharing TAT’s school transportation training materials quickly with their Department of Education, as well as school districts around the state, encouraging them to train. Coordinating outreach with the oil and gas companies in the state to have them begin using TAT’s energy resources. Visiting casinos in the state, when they became aware of TAT’s casino resources, to put the training into the hands of management. Supporting legislation requiring TAT’s training video be a part of CDL curriculum in the state of Colorado. Co-hosting and participating in a number of TAT Coalition Builds around their state with the goal of bringing private industry members into the same room with law enforcement and other state and local agencies to network and strategize ways to close loopholes to traffickers at the local level. Participating both years of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative, visiting truck stops, bus, truck and energy companies with awareness materials.Adding TAT messaging to their inspection reports, so that both the driver and company’s safety director learn about human trafficking. Sending information about TAT’s truck and bus trainings in their safety audits through their education and technical assistance to commercial vehicle companies throughout the state.
“CSP Motor Carrier Safety has asked for and received TAT’s law enforcement training more than any other state or agency in the U.S.,” Lanier related, “insisting that their troopers and officers know common indicators of human trafficking and how to respond to a potential victim. This resulted in one of CSP’s Port of Entry officers, Jeanay Angel, identifying a sexual predator at an inspection stop and then alerting authorities in Colorado and Wyoming, which led to his arrest by Wyoming Highway Patrol and extradition back to Oklahoma to stand trial. She also employed a victim-centered approach with the 19-year-old victim he was with and who he was in the process of grooming.”
Lanier also singled out LaDonna Rogers of CSP as “a major force behind CSP’s incredible anti-trafficking efforts.”
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