Implementing a Pre-Court Diversion Experiment: Learning in the Field. How the Lessons of RCTs Can Be Embedded In the Organisation

• In Event: Operation Turning Point: A Randomised Trial of Offender Desistance Policing

Abstract

Operation Turning Point was a randomized field trial that tested prosecution of low harm offenders (control) against a pre-court deferred prosecution with conditions (treatment). The paper will draw on analysis of the steps taken to conduct and manage the experiment and interviews with staff to draw out the lessons learnt and the ways in which those lessons had become embedded in the organisational learning. This will be used to suggest some key lessons for the conduct and management of field trials in policing.

Authors

• Peter Neyroud, Cambridge University

• Laura Bedford, University of Queensland