The Human Trafficking / Special Victims Unit operates within the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), part of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation within the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. The unit works statewide to identify and investigate sex and labor trafficking affecting children and adults.
Our Approach
We use a victim-centered, trauma-informed, offender-focused approach. Working with prosecutors, child protection professionals, child advocacy centers, and victim service providers, we support victim safety and coordinate investigations.
Working with the Council
The unit participates in the Mississippi Human Trafficking Council. The Council provides a forum for statewide partnerships, prevention, training, and improvements in how agencies identify and respond to human trafficking.
Statewide Investigative Support
Regional special agents, intelligence analysis, and statewide coordination support the unit’s work. We assist law enforcement partners with recognizing potential trafficking, developing investigations, and coordinating investigative resources.
Regional Special Agents
Our regional special agents investigate sex and labor trafficking involving children and adults. Use the map or county lists below to find the agent serving your area.
Northern Region
Light blue on the map
Special Agent Chaz Kennedy
Phone: 662-808-2400
Email: ckennedy@dps.ms.gov
Central Region
Medium blue on the map
Special Agent Heather Collins
Phone: 601-503-7432
Email: heather.collins@dps.ms.gov
Southern Region
Dark blue on the map
Special Agent Devin Seymour
Phone: 228-219-6092
Email: dseymour@dps.ms.gov
View county lists by region
Northern Region — Chaz Kennedy
Alcorn, Attala, Benton, Bolivar, Carroll, Coahoma, DeSoto, Grenada, Holmes, Humphreys, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Leflore, Marshall, Montgomery, Panola, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Tunica, Union, Washington, and Yalobusha.
Central Region — Heather Collins
Calhoun, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Claiborne, Clarke, Clay, Copiah, Hinds, Issaquena, Jasper, Kemper, Lauderdale, Leake, Lowndes, Madison, Monroe, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Rankin, Scott, Sharkey, Simpson, Smith, Warren, Webster, Winston, and Yazoo.
Southern Region — Devin Seymour
Adams, Amite, Covington, Forrest, Franklin, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Stone, Walthall, Wayne, and Wilkinson.
Report Human Trafficking
To report suspected human trafficking in Mississippi, contact the unit at 601-987-1671 or ReportHT@dps.ms.gov. For immediate danger or a medical emergency, call 911.