Envisaging the future of policing and public health

In September 2022, the Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association held a major event series called the ‘Marketplace of Ideas’, which showcased practical and innovative approaches to addressing public health issues that have traditionally been criminalised or over-policed, with a particular focus on policing and policing alternatives. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime was a major supporter of the event series.

This report summarises the key learnings and discussions stemming from the event’s Diversion and Deflection Session in which four exciting programs from around the globe were selected to present their unique approaches to leveraging the intersections of law enforcement and public health by diverting people way from arrest into social and health services. In this report, we look across these four case studies to examine the key elements of the programs, to discuss their common characteristics, and to demonstrate importance of collaborating across sectors to change perspectives and improve community safety, health, and wellbeing outcomes.

Read and download the Report