Police participation is essential for successful implementation of deflection and pre-arrest diversion programs. It can increase the number of referrals to services and enhance community-police engagement.

This webinar, led by TASC’s CHJ’s partners at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), will include a discussion about the research behind barriers to officer buy-in and present evidence-based strategies that can be used to obtain officer and agency support for police-led and community-led deflection programs. Representatives from deflection programs in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Montgomery County (Dayton), Ohio, will share highlights about how the program obtained officer engagement through strategic staffing, policy, training, leadership support, and agency culture change. Participants will have an opportunity to engage with presenters, ask questions, and collectively discuss challenges and successes encountered in implementing practices to increase officer buy-in.

Panelists

St. Petersburg, Florida

• Chief Anthony Holloway, St. Petersburg Police Department
• Jonathan Vazquez, President, Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association

Montgomery County, Ohio

• Dawn Schwartz, Community Overdose Action Team Project Manager, Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County

IACP

• Karen Maline, Project Manager

Resources

• Presentation slides
• Checklist for Obtaining Officer Support for Deflection or Pre-arrest Diversion Programs
• Officer Buy-In Research Reference Page