Deflection & Pre-Arrest Diversion

Deflection and pre-arrest diversion initiatives are partnerships between law enforcement and other first responders (Emergency Medical Services, Fire) and public health and/or behavioral health agencies. These initiatives are designed to redirect individuals with substance use, misuse, and/or co-occurring disorders from the criminal justice system and connect these individuals to comprehensive substance use treatment and services. There are six frameworks or pathways of deflection or pre-arrest diversion. The resources accessible from this page were developed to help jurisdictions plan and implement or enhance deflection programs. They include information on promising practices, case studies from deflection programs in every pathway, and other valuable information for deflection practitioners.