Overview
036 — In this episode, I’m joined by Amanda Bruner, a crime analyst and adjunct professor with a rich background in crime analysis, intelligence, and law enforcement. We discuss how crime analysts support their organizations, key skills for success, advice for aspiring practitioners, and more.
Amanda currently works at CNA’s Center for Justice Research and Innovation, providing training and assistance to nearly two dozen U.S. law enforcement agencies. Previously, she served as the first crime analyst for the Matthews Police Department, implementing the Stratified Policing Model, and as a corporate intelligence specialist for Bank of America.
A Michigan State University graduate with criminal justice and law enforcement intelligence degrees, Amanda has contributed to publications, conferences, and podcasts on automation, dashboards, and data analytics. She also leads professional organizations as President of the International Association of Crime Analysts and the Carolinas Crime Analysis Association. Recognized with industry awards, Amanda’s impact on the field is significant, and it’s an honor to speak with her.
Don’t forget to check out the Carolinas Crime Analysis Association 2025 Annual Training Conference, March 25-28, 2025, Wilmington, North Carolina: https://www.carolinascrimeanalysis.org/page-18075
Highlights from This Episode
- Networking as a Key Career Strategy: Building strong connections is essential for career growth in crime analysis and adjunct teaching roles.
- Importance of a Portfolio: A tangible portfolio demonstrating analytical skills (e.g., dashboards, maps) is a valuable asset in interviews.
- Use Public Data for Practice: Aspiring analysts can use open data portals to create meaningful insights and showcase their initiative and skills.
- Upskilling Through Online Platforms: Platforms like Udemy and Coursera offer valuable technical training, often accompanied by mentorship or project-based learning.
- Critical Tools for Analysts: Familiarity with Esri’s ArcGIS Pro and Power BI is important for both public and private sector roles.
- Adjunct Teaching Opportunities: Networking with academic institutions, proposing new courses, and connecting with department chairs can open doors to teaching roles.
- Proposing New Academic Courses: Adjunct educators can contribute by designing courses that fill gaps in existing curricula, such as technical skills for analysts.
- Crime Analysis Fundamentals: Dr. Santos’ Crime Analysis with Crime Mapping is a recommended starting point for understanding the field’s principles and practices.
- Annual Training Opportunities: Events like the Carolina Crime Analysis Association’s conference offer exposure to advanced topics and networking.
- Engagement with Students and Younger Professionals: Amanda emphasizes the value of sharing expertise with aspiring professionals and the mutual benefits of educational roles.
Memorable Quotes:
- On Creating a Portfolio: “Showing that you can apply the skills that you’ve listed can make the difference between landing the job or not.”
- On Using Open Data in Interviews: “Most police departments have an open data portal…and if you created a very simple Power BI dashboard, it not only shows your initiative, but it also demonstrates your skills.”
RESOURCES MENTIONED
- Books:
- Crime Analysis with Crime Mapping by Dr. Rachel Santos
- Modern Policing Using ArcGIS Pro by Dr. Eric Pisa
- Websites:
- Training Courses:
- Courses on Udemy
- Courses on Coursera (e.g., projects that provide or require sourcing data)
- Topics for Exploration:
- Open Data Portals (from police departments and public entities)
- Public crime-related datasets
- Professional Organizations:
- Carolina’s Crime Analysis Association (Annual Training Conference in Wilmington, NC)
- Technology/Tools:
- Esri’s ArcGIS Pro
- Power BI
- Events/Conferences:
- Carolina’s Crime Analysis Association Annual Conference (March, Wilmington, NC)
Use CONTROL + F to search the transcript below if you want to learn more!
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