Analyst Talk - Amy O’Neill - Say Yes to Opportunities

Episode: 00334 Released on August 31, 2026 Description: Amy O’Neill didn’t set out to become a law enforcement analyst. After earning a geography degree, a temporary opportunity with Humberside Police introduced her to intelligence analysis and launched a career spanning tactical analysis, major investigations, leadership, and the UK’s National Crime Agency.
In this episode, Amy discusses how geography and mapping shaped her analytical approach, including her Analyst Badge Story involving a prolific burglary group and an investigation that resulted in significant prison sentences. She also reflects candidly on a difficult transition into leadership, what she learned from the experience, and why failure ultimately helped make her a stronger leader. Amy also shares the story behind the revitalized IALEIA UK Chapter, its rapid growth, and an ambitious goal of hosting an international symposium by 2030.
Her advice? Say yes to opportunities even when they’re uncomfortable but learn when to say no to the “can you just…” requests.
🎧 Listen, share, and keep talking! [Note:  Description produced by ChatGPT.]
Name Drops:  Zoe Chenier (00:01:37), Bridget (00:11:49), Jon Larkin (00:38:04), Sophia Kwong (00:45:31)
Public Service Announcements:
Zoe Chenier (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/analyst-talk-zoe-chenier-%e2%80%93-the-australian-retail-crime-analyst/)
Svetlana Gubin (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/atwje-svetlana-gubin-the-power-of-math/)
Erica Logan (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/analyst-talk-erica-logan-veterans-in-analysis/)
Related Links:
https://www.humberside.police.uk/
https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/
IALEIA UK Chapter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/ialeia-united-kingdom-chapter/
Hanoi Burglary - https://www.ourwatchmember.org.uk/Alerts/A/467498
Association(s) Mentioned: IALEIA
Vendor(s) Mentioned:
Contact:  unitedkingdom@ialeia.org, https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-o-506b42273/ 
Transcript: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/4mfj8qpwk4ccdywm/AmyONeill_transcript.pdf 
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Podcast Researcher:
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00:00:25 - Introducing Amy
00:02:22 - Discovering law enforcement analysis by accident
00:06:17 - Improving processes with Excel and pivot tables
00:11:08 - Becoming an intelligence analyst
00:14:20 - Strategic analysis and violent crime trends
00:15:58 - Analyst Badge Story: Operation Isobar
00:28:32 - Leaving Humberside for the National Crime Agency
00:33:19 - Returning as a leader and learning through failure
00:40:33 - Building the IALEIA UK Chapter
00:47:45 - Career advice: Say yes to opportunities
00:50:13 - Crafting, creativity, and life outside analysis
00:53:05 - Words to the World