VPD learns about illicit massage parlors - Visalia Times-Delta

[massage]

Visalia Police officers attended a no-cost training Thursday that focused on eliminating illicit massage parlors in the city.(Photo: Eric Woomer)


On Thursday, the Visalia Police Department attended a training session in Sacramento focused on the elimination of local illicit massage parlors.

The free seminar, hosted by the California Massage Therapy Council, also discussed ways to combat illicit prostitution operations and human trafficking.

“The Visalia Police Department understands the importance of partnerships when it comes to combating human trafficking,” Captain Rick Haskill said. “Trainings such as these play a key role in strengthening these relationships.”

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CAMTC is a nonprofit, public benefit corporation whose main goal is to maintain and protect public safety when consumers choose certified massage professionals.

Over the last year, the CAMTC has increased law enforcement training as a way to share information and to discuss new developments and changes in the Massage Therapy Act, which went into effect Jan. 1, 2015.

The act gives local cities greater control over massage establishments, and allows local government the option to revoke the registration of businesses that violate the law.

Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla, chair of the Assembly Business, Professions and Consumer Protection Committee, was behind the legislation.

“My colleagues of the California State Legislature have spoken and agree that the massage therapy industry needs change,” Assemblywoman Bonilla said in a statement. “AB 1147 is the solution which will help eliminate human trafficking and prostitution in California’s massage therapy establishments.”

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The two-hour training session focused on a variety of topics, ranging from general information sharing to types of evidence CAMTC uses to take disciplinary action.

The sessions also provide information about the best practices that law enforcement can use to save time and money while successfully shutting down illegal parlors.

“CAMTC is pleased to provide this training to law enforcement agencies across the state,” Rick McElroy, director of CAMTC’s Professional Standards division, said. “We believe communication and information sharing are key components in ensuring public safety by working together to close illicit ‘massage parlors’. As the public demand for therapeutic massage increases, it is critical that we work with all stakeholders to weed out the bad apples.”

In California, prostitution is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of no more than $1,000.

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