Tucson’s Innovative Pre-Arrest Deflection Initiative Revolutionizes Community Policing

The Arizona Commission on African American Affairs, in collaboration with the ASU Pastor Center for Politics and Public Service, is set to host an informative online webinar focusing on Tucson’s Pre-Arrest Deflection Program. This initiative aims to address addiction issues, alleviate the growing prison population, and ultimately enhance public safety while saving taxpayer dollars.

The webinar is scheduled for Thursday, November 21, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. Interested participants can register at www.tinyurl.com/azdeflect.

Dr. Josephine D. Korchmaros, who serves as the Director of the Southwest Institute for Research on Women at the University of Arizona, will lead the session. She will provide insights into the Tucson Police Department’s innovative Deflection Program, which takes a proactive, pre-arrest approach to tackling opioid misuse and other substance-related issues. Attendees can also expect to hear about a comprehensive evaluation that reveals the program’s effectiveness in reducing substance abuse, crime rates, and mental health challenges.