The Social Science Research Institute’s Evidence-to-Impact Podcast returns with its 25th episode, split into two parts, “ Bridging the Gap: Community Policing’s Role in Recovery and Crime Reduction Part 1 and Part 2.”
The episode features moderator Michael Donovan, associate director of the Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative, with guests Dr. Aleksandra Zgierska , professor of family and community medicine at Penn State College of Medicine; retired Captain Joe Balles of the Madison, Wisconsin Police Department; and Captain Diana Nachtigal, captain of community outreach at the Madison, Wisconsin Police Department. Building on the introduction to the Madison Area Recovery Initiative (MARI), this conversation explores how the program has evolved, the lessons learned from its earlier phases, and the role of community partnerships in shaping its future.
Expanding the model
MARI began as a pilot program designed to divert individuals facing low-level, drug-related charges into treatment and recovery instead of incarceration. The guests described how MARI’s earlier stages, which are referred to as MARI 1.0 and 2.0, provided essential groundwork, demonstrating that collaboration between law enforcement, health care providers, and the community could reduce recidivism while supporting long-term recovery.
Captain Nachtigal explained that building officer awareness and training was central to the program’s sustainability and evolution. “We’re a very young department, but I think that also helps that we’re getting in on the ground floor from day one when they start and really institutionalizing this program, this mindset of diversion for people with substance use disorders.”
Voices from lived experience
One of the most significant shifts in MARI’s development has been the inclusion of individuals with lived experience of addiction and recovery. Peer support specialists and recovery advocates became central to building trust with participants and bridging the gap between police officers and the community.
“When you think about it, having that peer with that lived experience right next to that officer, that’s a connection that the officer can’t make by themselves,” said Balles. “It was just really astounding the things that we saw and realized - wow - a police department can have such an impact on people’s lives... Some very, very, very powerful stuff.”
Lessons for the future
As the program has moved into MARI 3.0, the guests reflected on how sustainability, funding, and continuous evaluation remain critical. Community buy-in, partnerships with researchers, and strong program design all contributed to MARI’s ability to evolve and adapt.
“What’s really unique is this academic partnership with our community members and organizations, because without that, it would have been challenging, if not impossible, to evaluate in a rigorous way,” said Zgierska.
Captain Diana Nachtigal reflected on MARI’s ongoing growth, emphasizing its adaptability and commitment to meeting community needs, noting that “It’s always evolving - every year we learn something new, and we adjust. The goal is to keep meeting people where they’re at and make sure no one falls through the cracks.”
Access the full episode
Listen to Part 1 of the Evidence-to-Impact episode on platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Blubrry. You can also access it here.
Continue onto Part 2 of the episode by listening on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Blubrry. You can also access it here.
The Evidence-to-Impact Podcast connects Penn State researchers, government partners and community leaders to discuss policy-relevant issues such as poverty, criminal justice, substance use and health care. By translating research insights into real-world understanding, the series aims to bridge the gap between evidence and practice. Through accessible conversations within the podcast, effective communication is tailored to diverse audiences, which empowers the public with accurate information that can influence policies, improve evidence-based approaches and support individuals affected by these challenges.
The Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative (EIC) is a research center and information hub for the science of using social science. The aim of the EIC is to improve the data, methods and processes related to research, the dissemination of evidence, and to understand the impacts of the use of research evidence on societal well-being. A center in the Social Science Research Institute supported by the College of Health and Human Development, the EIC leverages expertise in administrative data, program evaluation and researcher-policymaker relationships for social investment optimization.