The Human Trafficking Epidemic

Doug Gilmer, Resident Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations, joins the show from Birmingham, Alabama.

Gilmer, who’s law enforcement career spans more than 30 years, brings attention to the seriousness and prevalence of human trafficking and other exploitative crimes, debunks some commonly held myths, and focuses on the true dangers that make victims vulnerable to grooming.

Episode Guest

Doug Gilmer, Ph.D., is a veteran of over 30 years of law enforcement service. He currently serves as the Resident Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the principal investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in Birmingham, Alabama. He has served in law enforcement for over 30 years at the local, state, and federal levels. He leads HSI’s human trafficking investigative efforts across much of Alabama in addition to the agency’s other investigative missions. His office is well known for its efforts to combat human trafficking and exploitative crimes. He is a frequent speaker and instructor on these subjects and contributes to many anti-trafficking efforts nationwide.

Concurrent with his civilian law enforcement career, he served the nation as a member of the armed forces in the United States Coast Guard for over 20 years, retiring in 2019 as the Reserve Command Master Chief for the Coast Guard’s Fifth District. As a member of the Senior Executive cadre, he oversaw military issues for thousands of Coast Guard personnel; ensured the workforce was ready, resilient, relevant, and responsive to domestic and international threats and challenges; provided guidance to the District Commander; and delivered the Commandant’s vision to the workforce.

Mr. Gilmer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Liberty University in Virginia, a Master of Natural Resources and Global Sustainability degree from Virginia Tech, a master’s degree from Luther Rice University in Georgia, and a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University in South Carolina where his research focus was on the organizational outcomes of collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams used in human trafficking investigations. He has completed additional courses of study at the National War College, Joint Special Operations University, and the Senior Executive Leadership course at the Defense Equal Opportunity and Management Institute.

Guest Information

Homeland Security – Blue Campaign

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