Driving Down Gun Violence in Tucson: A PSP Success Story

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM MT

Location: Mile High Ballroom 1EF, Colorado Convention Center

In response to a sharp rise in gun-related crime and homicides in 2021, the Tucson Police Department (TPD) launched a comprehensive effort to address violence affecting the community. Through the Public Safety Partnership (PSP) program, TPD accessed training and technical assistance resources while strengthening collaboration with local and federal law enforcement and prosecutorial partners. As part of this initiative, TPD conducted a Nonfatal Shooting (NFS) Assessment to enhance its approach to NFS investigations. The goal: to more effectively identify prolific gun offenders, disrupt cycles of violence, improve case closure rates, and support successful prosecutions—all while reducing community fear and improving police–community relations. This panel will highlight the strategies, partnerships, and data-driven practices that have helped TPD transform its response to gun violence. Attendees will gain insights into how targeted assessments and interagency collaboration can lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes.

Submitter(s)

Sara Dziejma

Policy Advisor
Bureau of Justice Assistance
Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Speaker(s)

Chad Kasmar

Chief of Police
Tucson Police Department
Tucson, Arizona, United States
Benjamin Soltero

Sergeant
Tucson Police Department
Tucson, Arizona, United States
Daniel Oates

Chief of Police (Ret.)
Miami Beach (FL) Police Department
Oviedo, Florida, United States
Kerry Yerico

Senior Program Manager
National Policing Institute
Orchard Park, New York, United States
Jason Hochstettler