THIRTEEN ONSITE EVALUATIONS OF POLICE DIVERSION PROGRAMS WERE MADE THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. THIS REPORT IS INTENDED TO GUIDE THE POLICE, INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH THE DIVERSION PROCESS. GUIDELINES ARE PROVIDED FOR THE MASTERING OF THE PROCESS, AS WELL AS CONCEPTUAL GROUNDING TO INSURE SUCCESS FOR THE PRACTITIONER. SUBJECTS INCLUDE THE HISTORY OF DIVERSION, RATIONALE, AND HAZARDS LIKELY TO BE ENCOUNTERED IN USING DIVERSION. EXTENSIVE TREATMENT IS GIVEN TO THE PROCESS POLICE USE TO EFFECT DIVERSION, INCLUDING CRITERIA, PARENT-YOUTH CONFERENCES, PROCEDURES, AND FORMALIZED WRITTEN POLICE POLICY. ISSUES ADDRESSED ARE THE LEGAL BASE FOR DIVERSION, PROTECTION OF DUE PROCESS RIGHTS, AND RECORDKEEPING. ONE SECTION IS DEVOTED TO DIVERSION PROGRAM TYPES, COMPONENTS OF DIVERSION PROGRAMS, THE USE OF REFERRAL SOURCES, AND FUNDING. APPENDIXES PROVIDE EXTENSIVE EXAMPLES TO GUIDE THE PERSON CONCERNED WITH SETTING UP AND OPERATING A LEGAL, COMPREHENSIVE, AND SUCCESSFUL DIVERSION PROGRAM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED).