Rethinking Justice: Alternatives to Police Citations and Arrests

Are the police responsible for fixing the social issues of our communities?

In this episode, we continue to explore what we discussed in the previous episode—what it means for a police department to go beyond arrests and citations. Chief Butler reflects on his time in Longmont, Colorado, describing how acknowledging pain, listening deeply, and experimenting with restorative justice transformed both the police department and the community. Together, we highlight how partnerships, shared accountability, and social connections create a safer and more connected future.

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

03:20 – Acknowledging the Past

* Mike recalls the challenges he faced in Longmont after a tragic incident.

* The importance of recognizing trauma and beginning with deep listening.

11:46 – Listening and Building Trust

* How vulnerability and active listening laid the groundwork for new community relationships.

* How creating safe spaces for dialogue builds trust internally and externally.

* Mike describes holding multiple listening sessions with staff and the community to move conversations from pain toward the future.

21:00 – Planting Seeds of Change

* Connecting the concept of “fertile soil” to the cultural shift away from black-and-white policing.

25:18 – Alternatives to Enforcement

* Restorative justice and how Longmont’s efforts reduced recidivism and improved victim satisfaction.

32:32 – Measuring Success Differently

* Three guiding questions for public safety: community safety, reducing recidivism, and healing victims.

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/ 

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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.

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

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