Avon, Avon Lake Police Officers Trained to Spot Human Trafficking

It seems an unlikely scenario for Avon and Avon Lake, but police officers, nonetheless, have received training in how to spot human trafficking. 

Avon Lake Councilman David Kos brought up the issue at a recent council meeting following the arrest of three Lorain County residents, including an Avon Lake woman, charged in human trafficking.

“With the attention gained in the region in the last month, coupled with the high profile efforts of the Ohio Attorney General’s office to combat it, the (Avon Lake Safety) Committee asked for any local information on the issue,” Councilman David Kos, who heads the Safety Committee, said at the May 28 council meeting.

“There have been no known cases in Avon Lake of human trafficking,” Kos said. “However the city is not immune to these types of crimes and (Avon Lake Police) officers have received state-mandated training.”

The training teaches officers how to spot instances of human trafficking including runaways and victims of physical, mental and sexual abuse. Avon Lake’s school resource officer, Brian Hurd, has also received additional training due to his position in the schools. 

Avon Police Chief Richard Bosley said Avon officers have also completed training. 

"All of our officers have received the additional training in human trafficking," Bosley said. 

Avon Police are currently working in conjunction with the school district to hire an SRO. 

"We will ensure the SRO’s that we hire have received this training as well if they have not already received the training," Bosley said. 

See the attached graphic for Ohio Human Trafficking Coalitions in Ohio, provided by the Ohio State Attorney General's Office.