MPPS Policy Brief: Pretrial diversion programs work, according to Michigan police chiefs, sheriffs, and county prosecutors
In spring 2024, the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) asked local chiefs of police, county sheriffs, and county prosecutors from around the state about their views on the impacts of pretrial diversion programs and whether they would support diversion programs in their jurisdictions.
Key findings
- Most law enforcement leaders say pretrial diversion programs—such as drug or alcohol treatment courts or programs, mental health diversion, Veterans court, or other general diversion programs for lower-level, non-violent cases—are helpful on a variety of fronts: the well-being of defendants with mental health or drug dependency issues, recidivism rates, public safety in the community, and officers’ or prosecutors’ workloads.
- Whether or not their county currently operates any pretrial diversion programs, 62% of police chiefs, 73% of sheriffs, and 87% of county prosecutors statewide express support for these kinds of programs. Prosecutors report higher levels of support than police chiefs and sheriffs, with 50% of county prosecutors saying they “strongly support” pretrial diversion programs in their county, compared to 29% of police chiefs and 39% of sheriffs who “strongly support” these programs.
- However, opinions on gun diversion programs are much less positive. A majority of Michigan law enforcement leaders oppose gun diversion programs in their county, with 44% of sheriffs “strongly" opposing them. Support was weak among all three groups, with around a quarter of local police chiefs and sheriffs and 37% of prosecutors expressing support for the use of county gun diversion programs.