Monterey County District Attorney’s Office Supports the Launch of California’s First Law Enforcement Association Dedicated to Combatting Human Trafficking

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on March 19

that the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office supports the launch of the California Human

Trafficking Investigators & Prosecutors Association (“CalTIPA”). California has one of the highest

rates of human trafficking in the country according to CalTIPA President Tyson McCoy.

Monterey County is the third largest agricultural county in California. (www.co.monterey.ca.us,

2022). Monterey County also boasts the longest coastline of any California county, attracting more

than 3 million visitors annually. (Id., 2022). Running through Monterey County are two heavily

used state routes, Highway 101 and State Route 1, both running north/south, connecting Monterey

County with Santa Cruz County and Santa Clara County to the north, as well as San Luis Obispo

County to the south. With Monterey County’s unique position within the state, the Monterey

County District Attorney’s Office recognizes the need for a specialized association to help combat

human exploitation both statewide and within Monterey County.

CalTIPA is the first association of its kind in California. The association is dedicated to providing

advanced training opportunities to members of law enforcement, enhancing access to legal expertise

on issues pertaining to human trafficking, and facilitating collaboration among law enforcement and

community partners. CalTIPA’s Board of Directors is comprised of experienced prosecutors and

investigators from around California, who have each spent years helping to lead efforts against

human trafficking in their own communities. One such prosecutor is Monterey County’s own

Deputy District Attorney Donna L. Bakich, who is serving as an inaugural Director and Board

Secretary for CalTIPA.

The launch of CalTIPA means that our local law enforcement community will have the opportunity

to access invaluable resources to help combat the human trafficking which is occurring in our

communities. For more information about CalTIPA, please visit www.caltipa.org.

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