Policing in America has long been shaped by policies designed to solve social issues through enforcement. But what if we reimagined public safety as a shared responsibility rather than a reactive system? In Episode 2 of Beyond the Bandaids, Chief Mike Butler, Dr. Carol Engel-Enright, and Kristin Daley challenge the traditional role of law enforcement and propose a shift toward partnership, trust, and interdependency.
From Enforcement to Engagement: The Flawed Assumptions of Traditional Policing
For decades, our society has operated under the belief that tougher laws and stricter enforcement can fix issues like homelessness, addiction, and mental health crises. As Mike Butler explains in the episode, legislation has often been seen as a shortcut to solving social and health problems, but these quick fixes have largely failed to create lasting change.
Instead, what we have seen is an overreliance on law enforcement to handle problems that require community-driven solutions. This is a recurring theme in Mike’s work: the idea that public safety cannot be achieved through a singular focus on policing but must be a collective effort that includes community engagement, shared responsibility, and proactive leadership.
“For decades, we have believed that we could fix social issues through enforcement, legislation, and institutional solutions. But real change doesn’t come from systems—it comes from people.” — Mike Butler
Breaking the Cycle of Unhealthy Dependency
A major consequence of this enforcement-heavy approach has been the creation of unhealthy dependency. Instead of fostering interdependency, where police and community members work together, we’ve built a model where police are seen as the sole problem-solvers. This dynamic weakens communities by discouraging direct engagement in their own safety and well-being.
Mike often writes about the difference between caretaking and partnership—a distinction that lies at the heart of Project PACT’s mission.
“The police were never meant to be the fixers of every issue in a community. When we assume that every problem requires a police response, we rob communities of their own ability to engage, connect, and create real solutions.” — Mike Butler
The Role of Fear in Shaping Public Perception
Another key factor shaping modern policing is how fear influences public perception. The media, political rhetoric, and public discourse often reinforce the idea that communities are unsafe, even when statistics show otherwise. This fuels reactionary policies and further entrenches a law enforcement-first mentality.
“Public safety isn’t just about reducing crime. It’s about building environments where people feel connected, supported, and empowered.” — Mike Butler
When communities believe that crime is constantly on the rise—even when it isn’t—they demand more policing, stricter laws, and harsher penalties. This cycle erodes trust between law enforcement and the people they serve, making it even harder to build lasting relationships that foster safety.
Restoring the Idealism in Policing
Mike frequently writes about the importance of protecting the idealism that brings people into law enforcement. Officers don’t join the profession to be enforcers of punitive measures—they become officers because they want to help people. But over time, the system pushes them toward a warrior mentality, stripping away the service-oriented purpose they started with.
“Police officers enter the profession with a deep sense of wanting to make a difference. The challenge is keeping that sense alive, rather than letting it be buried under outdated policies and bureaucracy.” — Mike Butler
Through Project PACT and programs like New Blue, the goal is to help officers reconnect with the core mission of public service, focusing on problem-solving, relationship-building, and fostering resilience within communities.
A New Model for Public Safety
So what does the future of policing look like? Project PACT envisions a shift from a patriarchal model—where police dictate outcomes—to a partnership model, where police and communities collaborate as equals.
“Communities are not problems to be solved. They are possibilities waiting to be realized. And it is only through collaboration that we unlock those possibilities.” — Mike Butler
This means moving beyond the outdated mindset of police as enforcers and embracing a role that is community-centered, trust-based, and focused on solutions rather than punishment.
Join the Movement
The conversation in Episode 2 challenges us to rethink policing—not as a broken system, but as one that is stuck in outdated patterns. If we want real change, we must move beyond quick fixes and embrace a new model of public safety.
Stay connected by visiting ProjectPACT.org to sign up for updates, download Safety in Our Hands by Mike Butler and Peter Block, and explore upcoming training opportunities.Together, we can move beyond bandaid solutions and build a safer, stronger future.
