Arrest discretion and training needs for interacting with people with substance use disorders: a qualitative secondary analysis among police recruits in Washington State

Frequent interactions between law enforcement and individuals with substance use disorders carry significant public health implications. Pre-arrest diversion programs rely on officer discretion to redirect individuals toward a range of medical and social services rather than make an arrest. To inform more effective evidence-based training, this study examines how police recruits anticipate exercising this discretion and identifies their self-reported training needs for navigating encounters with this population. A qualitative thematic analysis of open-ended survey responses from 115 recruits at the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy was guided by the Focal Concerns Theory and Theory of Planned Behavior. Four themes emerged: (1) divergent views on addiction as a matter of personal choice versus disease, influencing perceptions of blameworthiness; (2) a primary concern for community protection, shaped by distinctions between violent and non-violent offenses; (3) a belief that incarceration can be a practical pathway to rehabilitation; and (4) a tension between adhering to departmental policy and being guided by personal and professional experiences. For future training, recruits requested more practical knowledge on drugs and de-escalation and strongly recommended experiential learning, including interactions with people with lived experience. Recruits’ anticipated use of discretion is shaped by core beliefs, practical considerations, and personal history. Training must move beyond knowledge transfer to actively address underlying attitudes and heuristics influencing arrest decisions. Effective implementation will also require aligning this training with supportive departmental policies and leadership.