State police train truckers to spot human trafficking on highways

The Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division joined the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative on Jan. 12, launching a weeklong effort to equip commercial motor vehicle operators with tools to recognize and report human trafficking.

During roadside inspections, ISP officers spoke with truck drivers, handed out educational materials from Truckers Against Trafficking, and urged drivers to report suspected trafficking to law enforcement. The activity in Indiana was part of a larger CVSA Human Trafficking Prevention Program that coordinates education and enforcement across North America, linking local stops by enforcement personnel to broader cross-border efforts.

For Dubois County residents, the initiative matters because commercial drivers travel through the county daily and can encounter signs of exploitation on rural stretches and at truck stops. Officers emphasized direct engagement during inspections rather than classroom training, aiming to make trafficking indicators and reporting protocols part of routine conversations between inspectors and drivers.

The CVSA program underscores a trend in law enforcement strategy that relies on frontline civilians and industry partners as force multipliers. Truckers spend long hours on the road and move through supply chains that cross state and national lines, so their awareness can accelerate investigations and reduce the time victims remain in exploitative situations. The materials provided by Truckers Against Trafficking are designed to be practical and portable so drivers can reference red flags while on duty.

Local public safety officials say awareness campaigns complement ongoing enforcement. While ISP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement handled the distribution and conversations during inspections, the initiative is intended to strengthen relationships between drivers and the various agencies they may encounter. That rapport can increase the likelihood that a driver who notices something unusual will report it promptly.

This effort also places Dubois County within a continental framework of prevention. Human trafficking often exploits gaps in surveillance across rural corridors, and coordinated education efforts aim to close those gaps by harmonizing what commercial drivers and enforcement personnel look for along highways and at rest areas.

The takeaway? If you drive a truck through Dubois County, expect safety stops to include short briefings and materials on spotting trafficking. Keep an eye out for people who seem controlled, lack basic identification, or are moved under suspicious circumstances, and report concerns to law enforcement. Our two cents? A quick call or tip from a driver can make a big difference — stay alert and speak up.