Episode 23

Co-Creating Safety: Police & Community in Longmont

Published on: 31st July, 2025

What can happen when a police department invites the community to co-author its mission?

This episode explores Chief Mike Butler’s transformational leadership in Longmont, Colorado, revealing how authentic conversations, strategic vulnerability, and restorative justice reshaped public safety. 


Topics that Chief Mike Butler, Dr. Carol Engel-Enright, and Kristin Daley explore in this episode: 


(0:44) Reimagining Police Leadership

* How Mike used conversation and curiosity to understand and reshape Longmont’s policing culture.


(8:57) Vulnerability and Transparency in Policing

* Mike discusses the strategic planning process that involved over 1,000 community and staff voices.

* How internal healing allowed police officers to extend trust and vulnerability outward.


(22:01) Restorative Justice and Youth Engagement

* Restorative justice models that address youth crime.

* How co-creating with citizens helped reduce reliance on the criminal justice system.


(29:46) Mental Health and Community-Based Responses

* Longmont’s interventions with addiction.

* The role of community in reducing crime and creating healing.


(35:22) The Role of Training in Cultural Shift

* The importance of training in reshaping officer mindset and skills.


This episode of Beyond the Bandaids is brought to you by Project PACT (Police And Community Together). Learn more about Project PACT by visiting https://projectpact.org/ 


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project_pact_org/ 

Newsletter: https://projectpact.org/our-courses/ 

Contact Us: https://projectpact.org/contact-us/ 


Connect with the co-hosts of Beyond the Bandaids:


Chief Mike Butler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-butler-6b0b2587/ 


Dr. Carol Engel-Enright on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-engel-enright-97701a10/ 


Kristin Daley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-daley-23bb7b26b/ 


The following three organizations—each committed to enhancing community well-being and policing integrity—joined forces to create Project PACT. 


Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP): https://lawenforcementactionpartnership.org/ 

New Blue: https://newblue.org/ 

The School of Statesmanship, Stewardship & Service (SOSSAS): https://sossas.org/ 


Beyond the Bandaids is dedicated to exploring how police officers, public safety professionals, community leaders, and community members can reconnect with their sense of purpose and inspire positive change in their local community.


Subscribe via Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Fd6ngx 

Subscribe via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4h8puWm 

Subscribe via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProjectPACT-org 


This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/ 

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About the Podcast

Beyond the Bandaids with Project PACT
Welcome to Beyond the Bandaids with Project PACT, a podcast dedicated to exploring how police officers, public safety professionals, community leaders, and community members can reconnect with their sense of purpose and inspire positive change in their local community.

Through meaningful conversations and insights from experts, this podcast emphasizes that both citizens and police are part of the community, aiming to foster unity and build trust through partnership.

Beyond the Bandaids helps you rediscover this purpose and make a real difference by looking within and fostering deeper community connections. Instead of focusing on symptoms or past problems, we concentrate on creating a future where lasting, positive changes are not just possible, but probable.

For community members, Beyond the Bandaids offers a hopeful perspective on collaboration and compassion. Together, we can create vibrant, thriving neighborhoods where everyone plays a role in public safety and well-being. Join us as we explore transformative conversations and pave the way for a safer, more harmonious future for all.

Beyond the Bandaids is brought to you in partnership with the Law Enforcement Action Partnership, New Blue, and The School of Statesmanship, Stewardship, and Service (SOSSAS).

About your host

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Seth Silvers