Could Joining a Police Explorer Program Put Your Child in Danger?

For decades, Police Explorer Programs have promised young people a safe path into law enforcement through mentorship, ride-alongs, and a chance to serve their communities. But beneath that promise lies a disturbing pattern showing how these programs have repeatedly failed to protect the very teens they were designed to serve. This episode begins in Indianapolis, Indiana, on November 2, 2015, when 18-year-old Heidi Gatliff, a high-achieving Police Explorer was found dead in her family’s home. In the days that followed, investigators discovered troubling behavior by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) officer Francisco Olmos, who had frequent private contact with Heidi, accessed her phone after her death, and deleted critical messages. But, as the investigation expanded, another name emerged. Daniel Bullman was the officer who ran the IMPD Explorer program and became deeply embedded in Heidi’s family’s life. Bullman was later arrested and convicted on multiple felony charges unrelated to Heidi, raising serious questions about unchecked authority, access to minors, and institutional blind spots. But Heidi’s case is only one piece of a much larger story. From New Hampshire to California, and dating back to the 1970s, this episode examines multiple allegations involving officers who used Explorer Programs to groom and exploit teens, often during ride-alongs, late-night messaging, or unsupervised one-on-one interactions. This is not just one case- it’s an investigation into a system that has operated in plain sight for decades and the urgent changes needed to keep teens safe. -------- Key Episode Moments: 0:00 - 1:26 - Case Intro 1:27 - 4:12 - Heidi Gatliff’s Death 4:13 - 6:59 - Francisco’s Suspicious Behavior 7:00 - 9:54 - Phone Locked & Messages Deleted 9:55 - 12:16 - Francisco Interrogation 12:17 - 15:24 - Daniel Bullman Enters the Picture 15:25 - 18:09 - Texts Between Heidi & Daniel 18:10 - 21:08 - Domestic Violence Charges Against Daniel 21:09 - 24:07 - Francisco Pleads to Obstruction 24:08 - 28:00 - Explorer Program Oversight Failures 28:01 - 32:16 - Kate’s Explorer Program Abuse 32:17 - 35:03 - Officer Acquitted at Trial 35:04 - 40:00 - Pattern of Explorer Program Misconduct 40:01 - 45:20 - Systemic Failures & Lack of Accountability 45:21 - 1:06:40 - How Explorer Programs Can Be Safer 1:06:41 - 1:09:57 - Outro 🚨 The Crime Junkie Holiday Merch Collection is here! 🚨 Shop the exclusive Holiday Collection — limited-edition merch designed to bring a little CJ cheer to your season. Perfect for gifting (or keeping for yourself). Get it before it’s gone! 🛒✨ Shop the collection now: http://shop.audiochuck.com/collection... For even more stories like this one, join the Crime Junkie Fan Club today: https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/fanclu... Follow Crime Junkie: Instagram:   / crimejunkiepodcast   Facebook:   / crimejunkiepodcast   Twitter:   / crimejunkiepod   Crime Junkie is created and hosted by Ashley Flowers. About Ashley Flowers Ashley Flowers is the top female podcaster in the U.S. and the host of Crime Junkie, the #1 podcast among women and the #1 true crime podcast globally. As the Founder of audiochuck, she has built a top-tier podcast production company that has garnered over 2.6 billion downloads, captivating audiences with its gripping storytelling through 10+ chart topping podcasts. Ashley and her team are dedicated to creating responsible true crime content that respects victims and their families. Follow Ashley: Instagram:   / ashleyflowers   Twitter:   / ash_flowers   TikTok:   / ashleyflowerscrimejunkie   Facebook:   / ashleyflowers.af   Check out these other great crime channels: ‪@kallmekris‬ This Cold Case STUMPED The FBI | The Springfield 3    • This Cold Case STUMPED The FBI | The Sprin...   ‪@annieelise‬ Stalked, CCTV Footage & Murdered at Elite School in Australia | Lilie James    • Stalked, CCTV Footage & Murdered at Elite ...   ‪@KendallRae‬ A Night Out, 2 Suspicious Men & A Fatal Car Crash: What Happened to Morgan Patten?    • A Night Out, 2 Suspicious Men & A Fatal Ca...   ‪@christinaarandall‬ Gretchen Anthony, a Single Mother Who Found Love w/ David a Conspiracy Theorist w/ a Head Injury    • Murdered By Perfect Husband Gretchen Antho...