In general, Pre-arrest Deflection programs are a pre-arrest, pre-charge, or pre-booking programs using a law enforcement officer’s discretion to deflect individuals in specific circumstances who they have good reason to believe or probable cause has committed a misdemeanor crime(s) and there are indications of an underlying behavioral health condition (opioid-use disorder (OUD), other substance-use disorders (SUD) including alcohol, and/or mental health disorders) and the person may benefit from treatment outside of the criminal justice system before they are arrested (i.e., before the offense is included in their criminal record).

The programs are designed to be voluntary and help people who have a SUD and/or mental health disorder obtain treatment rather than go to jail. The Pre-arrest Deflection programs hold the individual accountable to accessing and engaging in requisite treatment services for a period of time, usually not less than 90 days.

Yes, in 2020 the Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities Center for Health and Justice (TASC) and the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) estimated that approximately 850 separate sites across the country operated deflection initiatives that involved law enforcement. To learn more about Deflection visit the Police, Treatment and Community Collaborative (PTACC) website. https://ptaccollaborative.org/

The program aims to increase public safety, promote individual recovery from substances and/or attain mental health stability fostering overall improved health and long-term stability to prevent or reduce future contact with law enforcement officers.

Adults (18+) who reside within the Municipality of Anchorage, have contact with an Anchorage Police law enforcement officer (LEO), present with indications of current or reported historical opioid use behavioral health conditions (opioid-use disorder (OUD), other substance-use disorders (SUD) including alcohol, and/or mental health disorders), who the LEO believes that the individual has committed a misdemeanor crime(s).

Yes. All felony crimes and misdemeanor domestic violence or operating under the influence (OUI) crimes.

The Anchorage Police Department contracts with a provider to exclusively provide treatment services navigation and referral; individual case management, and treatment monitoring for identified participants of the Pre-arrest Deflection Program (PAD).

The contractor monitors participant adherence to and progress with treatment services and communicates participant adherence and progress to identified APD and other MOA personnel and other designated relevant parties?

The length of an individual’s participation in the PDP is determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on factors such as the alleged crime, criminal history, treatment needs and provider recommendations and the individual’s active participation and progress towards their recovery goals. In general individuals can expect to participate between 90 – 365 days in the program.

Similar to the length of participation, success will look different for each participant. However, a common thread of success for all individual participants is active engagement in recommended treatment services and measurable progress towards recovery.

Some examples of why an individual would be removed from the program include, the individual decides to leave the program, the individual is charged with a new crime while participating in the program, or the individual leaves or is discharged from treatment. However the goal of the program is individual treatment and recovery, and removal from the program is a reality and will be taken seriously.

If someone fails to complete or is removed from the PDP, the LEO’s arrest report and any other related documents will be forwarded to the Municipal Prosecutor’s Officer for review and determination of whether to file formal criminal charges.

Yes.