AUSTIN, TX — In preparation for National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on Sunday, Jan. 11, the Texas Department of Public Safety is highlighting the impact of its Interdiction for the Protection of Children (IPC) program, which trains front-line officers to identify children who may be victimized, missing or at risk.
“Protecting children from exploitation requires more than awareness — it requires trained officers who know what to look for and how to respond,” said Training Operations Division Chief Derek Prestridge. “Through the IPC program, DPS is equipping law enforcement with the tools to recognize the warning signs, take swift, victim-centered action and work across agencies to rescue children to hold offenders accountable.”
Throughout 2025, IPC staff delivered training across four states, as well as two international courses in Canada with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The program taught 18 IPC basic courses and four Train-the-Trainer sessions, training 695 students and certifying 38 new instructors. IPC personnel also presented at 29 conferences, reaching more than 2,700 attendees.
IPC training continued to lead to results in the field. In 2025, 57 DPS troopers reported calling in IPC-related traffic stops, resulting in 23 child rescues.
Additional 2025 highlights include:
IPC delivered three Texas Patrol Operation briefings, including sessions for the South Texas Human Trafficking Task Force in McAllen, Army Fort Hood leadership in Florence and Texas Highway Patrol personnel in Canton. A traffic enforcement initiative followed the Canton briefing.
IPC conducted Train-the-Trainer courses in Canada in February and September, certifying 22 RCMP instructors.
In March, a DPS Trooper used IPC training to identify a child at risk during a traffic stop, leading to an outcry, emergency protective custody, and federal charges of enticement of a minor and production of child pornography against the suspect.
IPC secured more than $174,000 in U.S. Department of Justice COPS funding in October to support program expansion.
IPC formalized a partnership with the Human Trafficking Institute to strengthen investigative strategies, training and victim-centered enforcement statewide.
The program received a Silver Award from the Australian Institute of Criminology at the 2025 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards.
In Australia, IPC partner Queensland Police Service trained more than 230 officers through eight courses, leading to five child rescues and 106 intelligence reports.
Since its inception, IPC training has contributed to the rescue of thousands of trafficking victims and the launch of hundreds of criminal investigations nationwide. In Texas alone, more than 640 children have been rescued and over 400 investigations initiated as a result of IPC-trained officers.
About the IPC Program
Developed by DPS, the Interdiction for the Protection of Children program helps front-line officers identify endangered or exploited children and those who pose a threat to them. The course expands traditional interdiction training to incorporate a victim-centered approach and covers topics including offender behavior, victim needs, legal considerations, intelligence reporting, and coordination with child and victim services.
As of November 2025, more than 15,000 law enforcement officers and child service professionals across more than 40 states, U.S. territories and tribal nations have completed IPC training. The program carries a core message: Stop Waiting for Children to Ask for Help.
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