Arizona Department of Public Safety officers are getting some special training to help them identify missing or exploited children they encounter.
DPS spokesman Raul Garcia said the training will help officers identify potential problems quickly.
“These officers, these detectives during traffic stops will be able to much better interview passengers and these violators while they’re out there on the side of the road,” Garcia said.
Garcia said 11 children have been rescued by DPS officers since the training began last July. He said two juveniles, who had been forced into prostitution through physical violence, were recently rescued by an officer who had gone through the training.
Garcia expects the training to assist officers in identifying smuggling groups he said are exploiting children.