Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is turning to Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco to help crack down on human trafficking in the Sunshine State.
Moody announced on Wednesday that Nocco will be part of the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking. There are 15 members of the council which Moody chairs. They will meet for the first time in 2019 on Friday.
“Sheriff Nocco is a hands-on lawman who tirelessly fights human trafficking in Pasco County. His experience and expertise will be a great asset to the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking as we look for new ways to end this atrocious crime and help survivors heal,” Moody said on Wednesday.
“I am honored to serve on this important statewide council and to use my law enforcement experience to help identify and develop strategies to end human trafficking in Florida,” Nocco said. “Working with Attorney General Moody and all members of the council we will make sure Florida remains a leader in antihuman trafficking efforts.”
The Council on Human Trafficking, according to Moody’s office, “works to identify and develop strategies to stop trafficking and help survivors heal.” Its duties include: “developing recommendations for comprehensive programs and services including recommendations for certification of safe houses and safe foster homes; making recommendations for apprehending and prosecuting traffickers and enhancing coordination of responses; hosting an annual statewide policy summit with an institution of higher learning; working with the Department of Children and Families to create and maintain an inventory of human trafficking programs and services in our state; and developing overall policy recommendations.”
The meeting will be held in the state Capitol in Tallahassee on Friday.