Texas Department of Public Safety's Interdiction for the Protection of Children program rescued 54 missing, exploited or at-risk children and initiated 33 related criminal investigations in 2015.
"Because children who go missing are more likely to fall victim and be abused by dangerous and opportunistic criminals, DPS created the IPC program for the sole purpose of protecting children," said DPS Director Steven McCraw. "The men and women of DPS are dedicated to rescuing any missing, exploited or at-risk children, and their steadfast and innovative investigative efforts have made Texas a safer place for all kids."
Launched in 2009, the IPC program is designed to teach troopers and other law enforcement officers how to recognize indicators of endangered children who do not exhibit obvious signs of abuse. This program offers invaluable and sophisticated training created to assist law enforcement officers in identifying and rescuing missing, exploited or at-risk children and arresting suspects who harm or endanger children.
As a result of this training, DPS has initiated more than 80 criminal investigations and rescued more than 200 children since the program's inception.