POLICE DIVERSION <i>An Illusion?</i>

Abstract

Abstract Diversion is defined on the basis of five restrictions that place important limitations on what should be considered “authentic” diversion. Each of the restrictions is reviewed in light of a number of current diversion programs known to the author. It is concluded that diversion as conceptualized by its proponents is not receiving a fair test and will be rejected on the basis of programs that have been operational zed in ways inconsistent with the original intent of its early advocates .