n 2013, members of Central West Division emerged as leaders in the fight against Human Trafficking – a criminal offence better known as “sex slavery.”
In March 2013, Project Spencer focused on human trafficking occurring at various hotels in Whitby. A Whitby man was convicted of Human Trafficking in connection with two girls, aged 21 and 23. This is believed to be Durham Regional Police’s first Human Trafficking conviction.
Project Armstrong began in October 2013 and focused on females in the sex trade industry who investigators believed might be at risk. The team found nine women had been, or were, victims. Nine men were arrested and face a total of 83 charges related to Human Trafficking, firearm offences, drug possession and child pornography.
Building on the outcome of Spencer and Armstrong, Operation Northern Spotlight was born. Involving 26 police services across Canada, the national two-day Human Trafficking blitz took place in January 2014, was initiated and organized by Central West Division.
More than 330 young women, some as young as 15, were interviewed across Canada. Police found some were being forced to perform sexual acts, multiple times a day. In Durham Region, investigators interviewed a total of 38 young women and believe that 12 were under some level of control. They were offered support services, including health care and mental/emotional supports, in hopes they could consider other options.
On January 26, 2014 Walk with Me Canada named the DRPS the Agency of the Year (2013) for our efforts in combating Human Trafficking. DRPS was selected for the award based on results from Project Spencer and Project Armstrong. Cst. Phil Groenveld also accepted an Officer of the Year Award as Emerging Leader for Combating Human Trafficking.
Our leaders in the fight against Human Trafficking in Durham Region are: Sgt. Ron Kapuscinski, Cst. Phil Groeneveld, Cst. Ron Carquez, Cst. Andrew Massey, Cst. Ian Reeves, Cst. Adam Sigmann and Cst. Dan Weiner.
This is outstanding work by our officers to safeguard these women from any future harm.
