In this Squad Meeting, we talk about some of our recent episodes and a couple of shows we were invited to appear on. We joined Headline Crime with Susan Hendricks, where we discussed the Nancy Guthrie case and how active investigations are handled. We also appeared on The FOURensic Room for a conversation about the CSI effect, armchair detectives, and why some people become deeply invested in defending convicted criminals.

We cover some of our recent episodes, including our discussion on officer-involved shooting investigations and the launch of our First Call to Final Verdict series with defense attorney Zachary Stock. We also highlight two powerful conversations from The War We Owe Them series featuring sex trafficking survivors Chantal and Sean.

Headline Crime with Susan Hendricks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJl3JFXw1f0

The FOURensic Room

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3rzLQhEiXs

Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Officer involved shootings are some of the most scrutinized incidents in law enforcement. A short video clip can spread across social media in minutes, and opinions about what happened often form just as quickly. But a few seconds of footage rarely capture the full picture.

In this episode, Dave and Steve walk listeners through the reality of how officer involved shootings are investigated. Drawing from their own experience handling these cases, they break down common myths and misconceptions surrounding memory, body cameras, evolving statements, administrative leave, and the investigative process itself. They also explain how criminal and internal investigations operate, the legal protections involved, and why context, evidence, and the totality of the circumstances matter when determining what really happened.

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In this opening installment of the new series, First Call to Final Verdict, Dave and Steve explore what shapes a criminal case long before detectives ever receive the call. Joined by Zachary Stock, Legislative Counsel for the Public Defender Council, the discussion examines how legislation, policy, and constitutional guardrails influence investigations, courtroom standards, and the broader justice system before a single piece of evidence is collected.

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Part V of The War We Owe Them, Dave and Steve sit down with Sean Wheeler, founder of Starfish Ministries Colorado and a survivor of child sex trafficking. Sean shares his story in his own words, including the grooming and abuse he endured as a young boy, his experience being exploited in child sexual abuse material, and the ritual abuse that shaped his early years. He offers a perspective that is too often missing in public conversations, the voice of a male survivor. Sean speaks candidly about the myths that silence boys and men, the stigma surrounding female offenders, and the reality that trafficking does not always look the way people imagine.

Sean also discusses his experiences with law enforcement and the broader system, highlighting what helped, what hurt, and what investigators must better understand about trauma responses. As a member of the Survivor’s Council with PACT and founder of Starfish Ministries, Sean continues to advocate for accountability, prevention, and a future where every survivor, regardless of gender, is seen, believed, and protected.

Protect All Children from Trafficking (PACT) Website:

https://www.wearepact.org/

PACT Survivor’s Council:

https://www.wearepact.org/about-us/#survivors-council

Starfish Ministries Colorado:

https://www.starfishcolorado.org

Sean's Book:

https://www.amazon.com/Wretch-Haunted-Shadows-Rescued-Jesus/dp/1498486738

Sean's LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheelerseanm/

Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast

Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Part IV of The War We Owe Them, Dave and Steve sit down with Chantal, a mother, entrepreneur, and survivor of human trafficking. In a courageous and deeply personal conversation, Chantal shares her story in her own words, offering insight into the warning signs others may have missed, the myths that harm survivors, and the trauma responses that are often misunderstood. She speaks openly about what trafficking looks like in real life, why victims don’t always leave or report immediately, and the turning points that made healing possible.

Chantal serves on the Survivor’s Council with PACT and engages in legislative advocacy with members of Congress to promote systemic change and prevent child sexual exploitation. Dave and Steve explore what law enforcement does well, where it falls short, and what investigators can do better to help victims of trafficking. They also examine where the system fails survivors and what real accountability should look like. This episode challenges listeners to rethink what they believe and what responsibility we all share moving forward.

Protect All Children from Trafficking (PACT) Website:

https://www.wearepact.org/

PACT Survivor’s Council:

https://www.wearepact.org/about-us/#survivors-council

Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast

Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives

Shop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast

Directly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this February 2026 Squad Meeting, we answer listener questions from our recent episodes, including some great follow-ups that dive deeper into investigations and the reality of the criminal justice system.

We also break down our latest Cross Examined episode with Lead Detective Emma, an elected Superior Court Clerk. The conversation pulled back the curtain on something we don’t often talk about, the real relationship between detectives and the court system. We discuss how cases move behind the scenes, how court staff and law enforcement interact, and what people often misunderstand about the judicial process.

Also, we give you an update on an important battle between Dave and Steve… shirt sales. Is Team Dave still holding the line, or is Team Steve making a comeback?

Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast

Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Police pursuits are often portrayed like action movies, but the reality is far more complicated and far more dangerous. In this episode, Dave and Steve break down what police pursuits actually involve, why policies have tightened over the years, and why officers are forced to make split-second decisions with no perfect outcomes. From school zones and rush-hour traffic to weather, speed, and suspect behavior, pursuits are a constant evaluation of risk versus responsibility.

Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast

Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why do violent and other serious offenders sometimes end up with fan clubs? In this episode, Dave and Steve examine why certain suspects and convicted individuals attract romantic or sexual attention across genders. They explore what that fascination reveals about psychology, media culture, and modern true crime consumption. From infamous killers to viral mugshots and online fandoms, they explore how trials become content, offenders turn into characters, and victims risk becoming background noise.

Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast

Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives

Shop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast

Directly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Dave and Steve break down the crime of scams. What legally separates scams, fraud, theft, and bad business deals, and why many situations that feel criminal end up being civil matters. They explain why these distinctions matter, why victims often feel dismissed, and why some of the most damaging scams never result in criminal charges.

They also walk through why scams are so difficult to investigate, including international suspects, spoofed numbers, money mules, disappearing digital evidence, and highly organized operations designed to move faster than law enforcement. The episode covers common scams being seen today, why smart people fall for them, and practical steps to reduce your risk and respond quickly if it happens to you.

Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast

Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives

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Resources:

Home Page - Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

https://reportfraud.ftc.gov

https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams

https://www.usa.gov/where-report-scams

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint

https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central

https://www.idtheftcenter.org

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Dave and Steve break down the realities of the job the public rarely sees and applicants aren’t always told about. They discuss the pressures, delays, and limitations that shape police work every day, along with how those realities impact investigations, officers, and the people they serve.

They discuss the mental and emotional toll of the work, internal stressors within departments, public perception, and why demonizing the profession has real consequences. This isn’t about negativity, it’s about realism, accountability, and having honest conversations about an incredibly difficult job that’s expected to be done perfectly.

Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast

Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives

Shop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast

Directly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.