Avsnitt
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Leadership and rank are not always the same thing, but both matter in law enforcement. In this episode, Dave and Steve discuss the people who shaped them throughout their careers, from supervisors and command staff to veteran officers and detectives whose influence extended far beyond their job titles. They also talk about why leadership has to change with the situation, the challenges that can come with promotions, and what organizations lose when decades of experience walk out the door. Leadership matters in every profession, but the stakes can be especially high in law enforcement. The decisions leaders make can affect morale, careers, public safety, and, in critical moments, whether people go home safely at the end of the day. Ultimately, leadership is not just about the authority someone holds. It is about the judgment, culture, knowledge, and example they leave behind.
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A viral traffic stop involving a woman accused of holding a cellphone in a hand she doesn’t have raises a much bigger question: what happens when an officer realizes their original assessment may have been wrong? In this episode, Dave and Steve discuss why admitting mistakes can be difficult in a profession built around confidence and decisiveness, how ego can interfere with good judgment, and why humility is an essential part of the job. They also talk about the role training, accountability, and self-reflection play after a mistake is made, and why sometimes the most professional decision an officer can make is to simply call it a day.
Traffic Stop Video: One-armed woman shuts down officer during texting-and-driving stop
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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In this month's Squad Meeting, we share a few podcast updates, including a scheduling change to our live stream this month, and preparations for our upcoming one-year anniversary. We also introduce CrimeSCENES, a new monthly series where we review police movies through the perspective of experienced, active detectives. We explain the Patreon voting process, listener participation, and the evidence marker scoring system. As always, we appreciate all of your support and look forward to building the next chapter of the show together!
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When people hear the phrase "circumstantial evidence," they often assume it means investigators don't really know what happened. In reality, circumstantial evidence plays an important role in many criminal investigations and prosecutions. Crimes frequently occur without eyewitnesses, and confessions are less common than many people think. Instead, investigators piece together timelines, forensic findings, digital evidence, behavior, and other facts to determine what the evidence supports.
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Note: We experienced some audio corruption during the first several minutes of this episode. We apologize for the rough audio quality at the beginning. It clears up shortly afterward.
This week, Dave and Steve release a special edition of Cross Examined, a Patreon series where listeners join the show and ask questions directly. This episode features Angela, one of the show's Lead Detectives on Patreon. Angela has been a registered nurse for 30 years and recently became a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). Together, they discuss the critical role SANE nurses play in sexual assault investigations, from caring for victims to collecting evidence and working alongside law enforcement.
The conversation explores trauma-informed interviewing, memory recall, delayed reporting, anonymous reporting, cultural barriers that can affect reporting, and the realities of investigating strangulation cases. Angela explains the examination process, the challenges of evidence collection, and they talk about why evidence is not always present even when a crime occurred. Dave, Steve, and Angela also discuss false reports, mental health considerations, the role of technology in modern investigations, and what comes next after a career in investigations.
If you enjoy this episode and would like access to more Cross Examined conversations, bonus content, live streams, behind-the-scenes updates, ad-free episodes, early access, and opportunities to join the podcast yourself, visit the Patreon link below.
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In policing, there are moments where an officer may be legally justified, backed by department policy, and tactically correct, but still ask themselves: just because we can, does that mean we should? The episode explores the tension between procedure and empathy, and how experience changes the way officers view enforcement, suffering, and the people they encounter.
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Dave and Steve take an honest look at why conversations about police mental health continue to repeat themselves year after year. During Mental Health Awareness Month, they break down the reality that most officers already know these struggles exist, yet many departments and individuals still feel stuck in the same cycle. From emotional suppression and command presence to trust gaps, surface-level wellness initiatives, and the fear of speaking up, they examine how the culture of policing was built and why changing it is far more complicated than simply raising awareness.
Mental Health Resources
National Mental Health & Crisis Resources
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or Text: 988
24/7 confidential support for mental health crises, emotional distress, substance abuse concerns, or suicidal thoughts.
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
Free 24/7 confidential crisis counseling by text message.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Call: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Free and confidential treatment referral and information service for mental health and substance use support. Available 24/7.
Law Enforcement / First Responder Resources
CopLine
Call: 1-800-267-5463
24/7 confidential hotline staffed by retired law enforcement officers for officers and their families.
Safe Call Now
Call: 206-459-3020
Confidential 24/7 crisis referral service for law enforcement, first responders, and their families.
ResponderStrong
Mental health, PTSD, stress, and resilience resources specifically for first responders.
https://responderstrong.org/
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In this May 2026 Squad Meeting, we break down our full weekend at PopCon Indy 2026 from Friday through Sunday. We talk about the convention, the PopCon Podcast Awards, and the incredible conversations we had throughout the weekend. We also share some funny stories, memorable moments, and some of the great food we tried while we were in Indianapolis.
Most importantly, we want to thank all of you. None of this would be possible without the support of our listeners, Patreon members, family, friends, coworkers, and everyone who continues to support The Detectives Podcast. We are incredibly grateful to PopCon for having us. We also appreciate every person who stopped by the booth, asked questions, shared stories, or spent time talking with us. Thank you for making this such an unforgettable weekend!
Want to see exclusive behind-the-scenes bonus pictures from the weekend? Click the link below and join our Patreon for bonus content, extra photos, and more!
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Dave and Steve tackle a listener-requested episode on the differences between investigative units. They walk through units like homicide, violent crimes, property crimes, narcotics, cyber, and financial investigations, explaining who handles what and how cases are divided. Speaking from their experience as generalist detectives, they break down the difference between generalist and specialized units and how each approach investigations.
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In this episode of The Detectives Podcast, Dave and Steve are joined by Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Alex and Josh as part of the First Call to Final Verdict series, focusing on the juvenile justice system from the prosecution side. They walk through how these cases are handled, what factors drive decisions, and what it really means to certify a juvenile to adult court. The conversation covers the balance between accountability and rehabilitation, the challenges inside and outside the system, and the reality of cases involving families, victims, and young offenders.
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Dave and Steve sit down with Patience Smith, a Social Service and Crisis Response Specialist embedded with a police department, responding to calls alongside officers. Together, they explore the reality behind dual response policing, where mental health, addiction, and crisis situations intersect with traditional law enforcement. From dispatch to arrival, Patience shares what these calls actually look like, what success means in the moment, and how her presence can change the outcome.
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Dave and Steve sit down with criminal defense attorney Mike Cunningham as part of their First Call to Final Verdict series. Board certified as a Criminal Trial Specialist through the National Board of Trial Advocacy, Mike has built his career defending constitutional rights in some of the highest-stakes criminal cases. While detectives and defense attorneys usually meet on opposite sides of the courtroom, this conversation offers a rare chance to sit down at the same table and talk openly about the system from different perspectives.
Together they explore how defense attorneys evaluate investigations, challenge evidence, and prepare to break a case in court. Mike explains what people often misunderstand about criminal defense, where investigations tend to be most vulnerable, and how the justice system balances truth, proof, and constitutional protections. From plea negotiations to courtroom strategy, the conversation pulls back the curtain and takes listeners inside the defense mind while showing the human side of the work on both sides of the system.
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In this episode of The Detectives Podcast, Dave and Steve explore what they call “no win decisions.” These are the moments in policing where every available option carries risk and criticism. Drawing on real world experience, they explain how officers often have to choose between imperfect outcomes while balancing public safety, legal limits, and incomplete information.
Using examples involving use of force, juveniles, mental health calls, pursuits, domestic violence calls, and criminal investigations, Dave and Steve break down how these situations unfold in real time. They also discuss the expectation gap between what the public sees afterward and what officers know in the moment.
Paul Harvey's Policeman: Policeman - By. Paul Harvey (Tribute to our Police Officers)
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Welcome to our April 2026 Squad Meeting. We talk about our latest Cross Examined episode with Kevin and Áine from The Murder Sheet, a conversation that means a lot to us since they helped inspire this podcast in the first place. We preview upcoming episodes, talk about what we’ve been working on behind the scenes, and share a few thoughts on where the show is headed next.
We also talk about our next Smoking and Joking livestream on Saturday, April 18 at 8 PM Eastern, featuring listener-favorite “Other Dave.” Along the way we talk about how listeners can reach out to us, and yes… we break some truly earth-shattering news about Dave’s lactose intolerance.
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In this episode, Dave and Steve tackle one of the most frustrating questions in criminal investigations: if law enforcement knows who did it, why has no one been arrested? From the outside, delay can look like failure, incompetence, or a lack of urgency. But inside an investigation, the difference between strongly believing something and legally proving it is everything.
They break down the gap between suspicion, probable cause, and proof beyond a reasonable doubt, while explaining why waiting is often a strategic decision rather than inaction. The conversation explores weak versus winnable cases, forensic and digital evidence delays, investigative timing, system friction, tunnel vision, and the emotional toll delayed justice takes on victims, families, and investigators alike.
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Probable cause is one of the most misunderstood concepts in criminal investigations. People often assume it has a clear definition or a strict formula. In reality, it’s based on facts, experience, and the totality of the circumstances. In this episode, Dave and Steve explain what probable cause actually means, how it differs from reasonable suspicion, and why it sits between suspicion and proof.
They also discuss how investigators build probable cause piece by piece, why courts allow officers to rely on training and experience, and why different judges sometimes see the same facts differently. From common public misconceptions to the real pressure detectives face when making decisions in real time, this conversation breaks down how probable cause works in the real world and why the question “is that enough?” does not always have an easy answer.
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In this episode, Dave and Steve sit down with Dr. Kelly Dardeen to break down the reality of adrenaline. It is the body’s built-in survival system that can sharpen focus, enhance performance, and help officers respond in life-threatening moments. But what happens during and after that surge is often misunderstood.
From tunnel vision and time distortion to decision-making under stress, they walk through what officers actually experience in the moment. The conversation then shifts to what comes next. The adrenaline crash, the physical and emotional toll, and how repeated exposure can keep the nervous system on high alert long after the threat is gone.
They also discuss how to recognize when stress is no longer situational and starts becoming chronic. Early warning signs, long-term health impacts, and the connection to burnout are all explored. More importantly, they talk about what can be done. Practical ways to regulate the body, build resilience, and create healthier coping strategies both on and off the job.
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In their previous episode, Dave and Steve broke down what happens immediately after an officer involved shooting, from the officer’s perspective to how detectives begin investigating the case. In this follow-up episode, they explore what happens after the investigation is completed and prosecutors determine the officer acted lawfully.
Drawing on their experience investigating these cases, they discuss why those findings often leave the public feeling dissatisfied. From emotional expectations and hindsight bias to social media pressure and misunderstandings about training, Dave and Steve explain why even thorough and transparent investigations can still feel unsatisfying to communities and families. They also discuss why the word “justified” does not mean the outcome was not tragic.
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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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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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- Visa fler
