Law enforcement is worn out from managing repeat offenders, staffing shortages, overpopulated jails and negative public sentiment. Some jurisdictions have turned to pre-arrest diversion models to help address these issues. This strategy has been proven to reduce calls for service, saving the limited time and resources of law enforcement, courts and hospitals. It also helps improve safety by repairing law enforcement relationships with the communities they serve. In this panel discussion, we will explore three types of diversion models: Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), co-responder and community responder. We will explore how they work, why they work, challenges encountered with each and how to assess which program might be best for an individual community.

Please join us and key community leaders who have direct experience with these programs for an in-depth conversation about them. Feel free to bring your most challenging questions. This panel is for law enforcement leadership, municipal and county managers, elected officials, behavioral health agencies and anyone else in the criminal justice space.

This panel discussion is based on R Street’s policy paper published earlier this year: “Conservative Jurisdictions Champion Diversion Efforts,” which you can read here.

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