Assessing the Impact of Organizational and Individual Characteristics on Police Officers’ Support for Pre-Arrest Diversion/Deflection

• In Event: Averting Crisis: Police Programs and Training

Abstract

Police Diversion/Deflection programs play a crucial role in ensuring that individuals exhibiting behavioral health symptoms are directed toward the necessary services and treatment and away from the criminal justice system. Police departments have increasingly adopted such initiatives with the goal of connecting individuals to community-based behavioral health services. Programs focus on substance use with the goal of reducing overdoses, or mental health with the goal of de-escalating situations and linking people to care. In order for diversion programs to be successful, these strategies require the support and participation from law enforcement officers. This study uses recent survey data from police officers in one mid-Atlantic state and considers the role of departmental and individual factors on officers’ support for diversion and co-responder models. Preliminary analysis reveals that attitudes concerning department priority and necessity influence diversion support, while officer pessimism reduces this outcome. Further, support differs between mental health and substance use focused programs. Implications of the research, and policy/practice considerations are discussed.

Authors

• Jullianne Regalado, University of Delaware

• Adam Gavnik, University of Delaware

• Daniel OConnell, Center for Drug and Health Studies, University of Delaware

• Ellen Donnelly, Center for Drug and Health Studies, University of Delaware

• Valerie Tickle, Delaware Criminal Justice Council