Welcome to Beyond the Bandaids with Project PACT—a podcast dedicated to moving beyond surface-level fixes in public safety and fostering real, lasting change. Hosted by Dr. Carol Engel-Enright, Chief Mike Butler, and Kristin Daley, this podcast brings together police, city leaders, and engaged community members to explore a new way forward.
Why Beyond the Bandaids?
As Chief Mike Butler explains, many of the reforms in policing since Ferguson in 2014—whether new policies, technologies, or leadership changes—have been mere bandaids, temporary solutions that fail to transform the deeper culture of policing and public safety. Beyond the Bandaids seeks to go deeper, asking: What if communities and police worked together as partners rather than as opposing forces? How can we shift public safety from reliance on enforcement to shared community responsibility?
The Three Organizations Behind Project PACT
Project PACT is a collaboration between three organizations, each bringing a unique approach to reimagining public safety:
- Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP): The primary supporter of Project PACT, dedicated to ethical, effective, and community-centered policing.
- New Blue: An initiative focused on transforming police culture from within, founded by current and former law enforcement officers.
- The School of Statesmanship, Stewardship, and Service (SOSUS): A program that develops leadership and governance strategies for police, city officials, and engaged citizens.
Meet the Hosts
Each host brings a unique perspective and deep expertise:
- Chief Mike Butler served over 40 years in public safety, pioneering community-centered policing in Longmont, CO. His approach shifted police from a patriarchal model to a partnership model, emphasizing collaboration and trust.
- Dr. Carol Engel-Enright has an extensive background in education, social responsibility, and social sustainability. She explores how design thinking and social capital can reshape public safety.
- Kristin Daley is a justice reform advocate, a victim advocate, and Executive Director of New Blue. Her work focuses on creating equitable, compassionate approaches to policing.
Shifting the Narrative: From Problems to Possibilities
A key theme of Beyond the Bandaids is changing the way we view public safety. Traditionally, police departments and communities are often seen as problems to be solved. Project PACT challenges this view by asking: What if we focused on what’s working? What if we expanded the strengths that already exist in our communities?
This strengths-based approach encourages police departments to connect not just with the criminal justice system, but also with the heart of their communities. Instead of reactive enforcement, the focus shifts to proactive engagement, empowerment, and partnership.
Why This Podcast Matters
If you’re a city leader, police officer, community organizer, or simply someone who cares about the future of public safety, this podcast is for you. The hosts are committed to open, honest conversations—tackling complex issues with depth, nuance, and a focus on solutions. They invite listeners to join the discussion, ask hard questions, and become active participants in shaping safer, stronger communities.
Stay Connected
Project PACT isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. Visit ProjectPACT.org to sign up for the newsletter and download Safety in Our Hands, a booklet co-authored by Mike Butler and Peter Block, which explores practical strategies for community-driven safety initiatives.Subscribe to Beyond the Bandaids and be part of a new conversation—one that moves beyond quick fixes and toward a future where safety is truly in the hands of the community.
