When University of Alabama Police Investigator Jessica Wilson was selected as a part-time member of the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force in July 2018, she quickly developed a passion for working with survivors.
“Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery that is occurring in every state across our nation,” said Wilson. “The victims I’ve worked with are some of the most resilient people I’ve ever met. Many have faced horrible circumstances since childhood and despite that, they don’t give up. Their resilience fuels me to continue fighting for them and all victims.”
Seeing Wilson’s passion for the survivors of human trafficking, UAPD Chief John Hooks reassigned her in 2020 to work as a full-time investigator with the task force.
“Investigator Wilson has a passion for her work that is contagious to everyone around her,” said Hooks. “As part of her commitment, she has been instrumental in creating community awareness by educating members of the UA community regarding human trafficking.”
In her short time with the task force, Wilson has led or participated in more than 50 investigations and operations resulting in numerous arrests, Hooks said. She has also investigated cases involving child exploitation as a member of the Alabama Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Wilson, who has been with the department since 2010, holds two master’s degrees from UA, one in criminal justice and the other in clinical mental health counseling. She recently passed the National Counselor Examination, which will allow her to pursue a license as a professional counselor.
“Interviewing victims of human trafficking sometimes requires officers to take a victim-centered approach in order to obtain important information that allows us to adequately assist them,” Wilson said. “The degree program itself taught me several skills and techniques used by counselors when working with clients, and those skills have proven very helpful when working with victims.”
In January, Wilson was named the West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force Investigator of the Year. She will be honored by the Exchange Club of Tuscaloosa as an Officer of the Year later in 2021.
Police Communications Officer and Security Resources Assistant also honored
UAPD also has named Cassidy Carman as Police Communications Operator of the Year and Bryan Olive as Security Resources Assistant of the Year.
Recognized for his creativity, Carman was selected for the honor because of his initiative to solve problems, especially as the department transitioned to a new 911 dispatch center.
“PCO Carman helped his fellow police communicators, and the supervisors, see new ways of doing their jobs,” Hooks said. “And while no one may ever know, his insight and ideas help the campus community each time someone calls UAPD.”
Olive is being recognized for his assistance with the development and implementation of COVID-19 protocols and procedures for Security Resources. When Security Resources was assigned to assist with COVID-19 screening and security at Capstone Village, Olive volunteered and helped develop better processes to make sure the residents stayed safe. In addition, he also helped students as they transitioned to and from campus quarantine spaces.
Contact
Shane Dorrill, UA Strategic Communications, shane.dorrill@ua.edu