Episode: 00308 Released on March 2, 2026 Description:  Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how crime analysts work, but many analysts are still unsure where it truly fits in their role. In this episode, Christopher Cruz returns to Analyst Talk with Jason Elder to discuss AI’s real impact on law enforcement analysis, the concept of the analyst as a technologist, and why AI should be viewed as a tool for efficiency rather than replacement. The conversation explores data cleaning automation, report generation, custom large language models, trust and verification, and how agencies are cautiously piloting AI solutions. Chris also shares insights on staffing gaps, vendor-driven AI deployments, and why analysts who learn to leverage AI will free up time for deeper analytical work instead of clerical tasks. 🎧 Listen, share, and keep talking! [Note:  Description produced by ChatGPT.]

00:00:17 – Introducing Chris

Episode: 00307 Released on February 23, 2026 Description: In this episode of Analyst Talk with Jason Elder, David Grabelski shares insights from a 55-year career spanning LAPD homicide, gang investigations, NDIC intelligence work, and teaching at Mercyhurst University. He discusses the early days of link analysis, visual investigative charting, and how analytical thinking shaped real-world investigations long before modern tools existed. David also introduces the “Life Triangle” of time, health, and wealth, and how it applies not only to career progression but to long-term professional sustainability. The conversation explores intelligence failures, the importance of broad experience over early specialization, and why skillsets matter more than tools in the evolving world of analysis. This episode is essential listening for analysts navigating career growth, technological change, and the balance between expertise, impact, and longevity in the profession.

Episode: 00306 Released on February 16, 2026 Description: Real-Time Crime Centers continue to expand in both scope and responsibility, and drones are quickly becoming one of the most discussed emerging tools in the field. In this sixth installment of the Real Crime All The Time series on Analyst Talk with Jason Elder, Nikki North shares how Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs are being integrated into crime centers, what analysts and managers need to consider, and how staffing, training, legal concerns, and operational policies all play a role.

Nikki breaks down how drones function as mobile cameras, the importance of FAA regulations, night flight training, weather considerations, and how agencies are strategically placing base stations based on call volume. The conversation also highlights how drones can support proactive policing, site assessments, disaster response, and real-time situational awareness beyond traditional camera networks.

The episode also touches on a major career transition as Nikki moves from the public sector to the private industry, discussing why analysts are increasingly making that shift and how technology platforms are evolving toward a “single pane of glass” for analytical workflows.

This episode is especially valuable for RTCC analysts, crime analysts, and agency leaders who are evaluating new technology adoption while balancing staffing, policy, and operational realities. 🎧 Listen, share, and keep talking!

Episode: 00305 Released on February 9, 2026 Description: Many crime analysts are uncertain which AI tools are appropriate, useful, or even relevant to their role. In the fifth installment of Catching Up with Dawn, Dawn Reeby breaks down where artificial intelligence actually fits in crime analysis by focusing on practical tools analysts can use today. The conversation walks through specific examples involving ChatGPT, NotebookLM, and other AI-assisted platforms for tasks like creating cheat sheets, drafting policies, organizing meeting notes, developing roll-call videos, and communicating outcomes to leadership. Dawn also reminds listeners that Excel was once viewed with skepticism and is now standard in analytical work, reinforcing that AI is not a replacement for analysts but another evolution in the toolkit. Throughout the discussion, the emphasis remains on analyst judgment, review, and ethics, showing how AI supports stronger, more efficient analysis rather than replacing it. 🎧 Listen, share, and keep talking!

Name Drops:

Vendor(s) Mentioned: ChatGPT, Grok, Claude, NotebookLM

Contact: reach me at [email protected],  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnreeby/  

Transcript: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/txpxn36k24h6ch9h/Dawn05_transcript.pdf 

Podcast Writer: 

Episode: 00304 Released on February 2, 2026 Description: New tools often arrive faster than the discipline needed to use them well. Randy Stickley returns for another installment of Before You Leap to examine how artificial intelligence is entering analytic workflows and what analysts must consider before relying on it. The discussion explores AI hallucinations, large language models, writing and research augmentation, and the enduring role of human judgment in law enforcement analysis. Through real-world examples, cognitive illusions, and courtroom implications, this episode outlines where AI can support analysts, where it can mislead them, and why tradecraft, validation, and critical thinking must remain firmly in the driver’s seat. 🎧 Listen, share, and keep talking! [Note:  Description produced by ChatGPT.]

Name Drops: Ryan Kapaun (00:05:56), Dr. Andreas Olligschlaeger (00:22:00), Christopher Cruz/Debbie Osborne (00:26:51)

Episode: 00303 Released on January 26, 2026 Description: Debbie Osborne returns to Analyst Talk to break down something few analysts have attempted: using AI to help write and publish a professional book. Debbie breaks down how she built the book, from structuring the content and collaborating with generative AI to validating sources, avoiding plagiarism, and working through the editorial process for a second edition with an academic publisher. This conversation tackles the real questions analysts have about AI, including authorship, credibility, transparency, and trust. Debbie explains why AI did not replace her expertise, but expanded what was possible, allowing one analyst to build a comprehensive crime pattern resource that would normally require an entire team. If you are curious about using AI for serious analytical writing, research, or professional legacy projects, this episode is a must listen. 🎧 Listen, share, and keep talking! [Note:  Description produced by ChatGPT.]

Name Drops: Christopher Cruz (00:21:58), Chris Wheaton (00:20:15), David Jimenez (00:31:58)

00:00:17 – Welcome back Debbie Osborne

SEO Keywords: crime analysis, artificial intelligence, AI in law enforcement, writing with AI, generative AI, ChatGPT, Claude AI, crime patterns, modus operandi, analyst professional development, law enforcement research, analyst textbooks, AI ethics, AI authorship, crime analysis training

Episode: 00302 Released on January 19, 2026

Description: Artificial intelligence is everywhere but to what degree? Andreas Olligschlaeger returns to Analyst Talk for a deep dive into AI in law enforcement analysis. We break down what AI really is (and isn’t), explore graph databases, anomaly detection, and Graph RAG, and discuss how analysts can use AI without replacing human judgment. The conversation also tackles ethics, explainability, and why validation and transparency matter more than ever. This episode is a must-listen for analysts trying to separate real capability from AI hype. 🎧 Listen, share, and keep talking! [Note:  Description produced by ChatGPT.]

Name Drops: Nancy Levine (00:32:07)

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/brief-history-artificial-intelligence

Anomaly detection:

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/machine-learning/anomaly-detection-using-isolation-forest/https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/machine-learning/anomaly-detection-using-isolation-forest/

Graph Databases:

https://neo4j.com/wp-content/themes/neo4jweb/assets/images/Graph_Databases_for_Beginners.pdf

Graph RAG:

https://neo4j.com/blog/genai/what-is-graphrag/

Downloadable LLMs:

https://www.nomic.ai/gpt4all (runs on your local machine - does not upload data)

AI Tools:

Python

GitHub

ChatGPT

Intermediate / Power-User Tools:

Neo4j

Apache TinkerPop

i2 Analyst’s Notebook

Databricks

Microsoft Azure

GraphRAG

Secure / Local AI Options:

Hugging Face

Ollama

Association(s) Mentioned:

00:00:17 – Reintroducing Olli

Episode: 00301 Released on January 12, 2026 Description: Ryan Kapaun brings more than 22 years of law enforcement analysis experience to Analyst Talk. Starting in communications and media relations, Ryan explains how his background in PR shaped the way he writes intelligence bulletins that officers actually read. He shares lessons from building Minnesota’s early fusion center, transitioning to a suburban police department, forecasting burglary series, managing police social media, and mentoring interns who go on to become analysts themselves. This episode is a masterclass in audience-focused writing, presentation skills, and turning complex information into actionable intelligence. 🎧 Listen, share, and keep talking! [Note:  Description produced by ChatGPT.]

Name Drops: Steve Gottlieb (00:26:34), Randy Stickley (01:11:02)

00:00:17 – Introducing Ryan

Episode: 00300 Released on January 5, 2026 Description: In this milestone 300th episode of Analyst Talk with Jason Elder, Jason reconnects with former manager and mentor Glenn Fueston for a candid, reflective conversation on leadership, data, and the evolution of intelligence analysis. Glenn shares his journey from trainer and leader at the Washington Baltimore HIDTA, to Executive Director of Maryland’s Governor’s Office of Crime Control, and now Director of Public Safety Capture at LexisNexis. Together, they discuss early analyst culture, post-9/11 training expansion, micromanagement lessons, strategic versus tactical analysis, grant-driven policy change, and how AI is reshaping analytical work. The episode blends hard-earned leadership insights with humor, nostalgia, and perspective, including legendary Chipotle burrito debates and reflections on growth, trust, and professional maturity. 🎧 Listen, share, and keep talking! [Note:  Description produced by ChatGPT.]

Name Drops:  Tom Carr (00:03:52)

00:00:17 – Introducing Glenn