PHOENIX— During the recently concluded Winter Institute for Public Safety and Behavioral Health Conference hosted by Arizona State University at Skysong, Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery was presented with the Innovative Leader Award. The award recognizes a leader for being proactive and implementing new and effective programs to enhance public safety.

The Arizona State University Public Safety Award committee selected Montgomery for his vision of shifting the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to a community-based prosecution model. For also putting a greater focus on diversion programming, including pilot programs that focus on recidivism reduction and mental health. As well as developing a peer support program for fellow employees experiencing secondary trauma.

“While we are already experiencing outstanding results from our community-based approach to prosecution, it is encouraging to be recognized this way by our community, as well, said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. He added, “The Office has spent the past few years transitioning to this new prosecution model allowing for an enhanced working relationship with our community and providing more prosecutor led diversion options for offenders. Internally, our Peer Support Program has also been at work recognizing the impacts cases involving serious harm to a victim can have on our prosecutors, investigators, administrative professionals and paralegals.”