Detective Cynthia Garcia has been employed by the City of Houston for approximately 24 years and has served with the Houston Police Department for the past 19 years. In 2017, she graduated from the Houston Police Academy and was assigned to the North Belt Patrol Division. In 2022, she transferred to the Vice Division, where she currently serves as a Detective in the Human Trafficking Unit.
In addition to her investigative duties, Detective Garcia serves as the Coordinator for the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance for the Southern District of Texas. In this capacity, she works closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as victim advocacy organizations, to combat human trafficking and support survivors.
During her time in the Human Trafficking Unit, Detective Garcia has led and assisted with numerous human trafficking investigations. She conducts trauma-informed interviews with victims and plays an important role in building strong cases against trafficking offenders. Her work often involves complex, multi-jurisdictional investigations conducted in partnership with federal and local agencies, with a continued focus on victim safety, dignity, and long-term recovery.
Detective Garcia has also taken part in undercover operations and victim recovery efforts, helping to safely remove victims from trafficking situations and connect them with the resources and support services they need.