What can police leadership do to preserve the idealism of new police recruits and to promote communication and accountability in their departments?

In this episode, retired law enforcement leader Neill Franklin joins our co-hosts to explore how police culture can shift toward trust, accountability, and real connection with communities.

Neill Franklin spent decades in policing, from narcotics to academy leadership—and he's still not done. A former executive director of LEAP, a former Chief of Human Resources of the Baltimore Police Department, and a former Major of the Maryland State Police, Neill is known for challenging the status quo and building bold, community-focused alternatives to the way policing works.

Topics that co-hosts Chief Mike Butler, Dr. Carol Engel-Enright, and Kristin Daley, and their guest, Neill Franklin, explore in this episode:

(02:25) Neill’s Early Policing Experience

* Neill reflects on his time with the Maryland State Police.

(9:59) Drug Policy and Field Training

* The racial disparities in drug enforcement and the violence it fuels.

* How field training can be reconnected with academy ideals.

(24:14) Building Trust

* How trust starts with simple, respectful communication.

* Avoiding over-policing victims.

(36:01) First-Line Supervisors

* Supervisors need to be hands-on coaches, not buried in admin tasks.

(47:52) Leading a Department by Vision and Relationship

* Ethical Policing Is Courageous (EPIC), an initiative launched by Baltimore Police Commissioner Mike Harrison.

* Neill lays out what he'd do as a police chief—starting with direct, personal communication.

Thanks to Neill Franklin for being on the show!

Learn more about Neill: https://neillfranklin.com/

Connect with Neill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neill-franklin/

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):