A unique partnership between Troy University and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is giving students hands-on experience in one of the most pressing areas of public safety: the fight against human trafficking. Through the Alabama Fusion Center’s Human Trafficking Initiative, Troy University interns work directly with law enforcement professionals to analyze threats, develop prevention strategies, and support efforts to protect vulnerable individuals across the state.
“This partnership provides Troy University interns with an immersive opportunity to collaborate with ALEA personnel in combating human trafficking and protecting at-risk individuals,” said Jasmine Greene, Intelligence Analyst with ALEA’s Human Trafficking Initiative. “Students gain practical experience in threat and hazard analysis while contributing to strategies that strengthen the broader fight against human trafficking.”
Greene, a Troy University graduate, said the collaboration is more than a traditional internship. “It’s hands-on and immersive,” she explained. “Our interns are not just observing. They are actively contributing to the work we’re doing to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable populations.”
Through partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as government entities and non-governmental organizations, the initiative connects classroom learning with field experience. Interns assist with case research, intelligence gathering, and strategic assessments that inform decision-making across agencies.
For Camden Cummings, a Criminal Justice Accelerated Law major, and Taylor Dunn, a graduate student pursuing her master’s in Criminal Justice at Troy University, the internship offered invaluable insight into the real-world application of their studies. Cummings, now in his first year at Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, described the experience as both eye-opening and transformative.
“My title was Human Trafficking Intelligence Intern,” Cummings said. “We collected data, created reports, and investigated instances of human trafficking across the state. We also had the opportunity to work with the State Bureau of Investigation’s Major Crimes Unit, visit the forensics lab, and meet professionals from across ALEA’s divisions.”
The connections made during the internship extended beyond the Fusion Center. “I met Sam Adams, a Troy alumnus who works as the Governmental Affairs Liaison for ALEA,” Cummings said. “He helped connect me with professionals from the Governor’s Legal Services Office and other areas across the state. Those relationships have already been incredibly valuable.”
Cummings said the internship also changed how he views his future in law. “I used to picture myself in the courtroom representing agents who collect evidence,” he explained. “Now that I’ve seen how much work goes into investigations and intelligence collection, I’ll carry that understanding with me. It gives me a better appreciation for what happens before a case ever reaches trial.”
Greene described one of her favorite moments of the internship as watching the Troy University interns deliver an executive-level briefing to members of the Alabama House of Representatives. “They presented their findings on human trafficking with such confidence and professionalism,” she said. “It was truly impressive. Watching them grow into capable professionals and knowing they represent both ALEA and Troy University so well was incredibly rewarding.”
The Alabama Fusion Center’s Human Trafficking Initiative, established in 2014, works to identify emerging trends, train law enforcement, and provide actionable intelligence to stakeholders across the state. Greene said continued partnerships like this one are vital to sustaining progress.
“Partnerships between ALEA and Troy University are a crucial step toward advancing Alabama’s fight against human trafficking,” she said. “Education, research, and collaboration are key to creating lasting impact.”
For students like Cummings and Dunn, the experience proved that meaningful change begins with exposure and education. “It’s not just an internship,” Cummings said. “It’s a chance to make a real difference while learning from some of the best professionals in the field.”
