LEADing in the Golden State: An Assessment of Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion in California

• In Event: Issues Related to Sex Offending and Drug Use: Perceptions, Statutes, and Practices

Abstract

This study draws on preliminary data from two counties in California – Los Angeles and San Francisco – that have recently implemented the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) initiative. Born in Seattle, LEAD is a holistic program targeting criminal justice system involved sex workers and drug users. Employing point of contact interventions, LEAD draws on police training and knowledge of local community cultures as an innovative way to identify clients and broker services for those clients. California’s implementation of LEAD represents the most ambitious employment of a program that has enjoyed demonstrable positive impacts in other smaller metropolitan areas. Our study – the product of the largest evaluation of LEAD ever conducted – shares preliminary findings, lauding notable achievements and highlighting noteworthy avenues for possible improvements in the implementation and execution of the LEAD initiative in California.

Authors

• James M. Binnall, California State University, Long Beach

• Dina Perrone, California State University, Long Beach

• Aili Malm, California State University, San Bernardino