Analyst Talk - Nick Barker - The Think Critically Analyst

Episode: 00320 Released on May 25, 2026 Description:  This week on Analyst Talk, Jason sits down with Nick Barker, Criminal Intelligence Analyst Supervisor with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, to discuss his journey from band nerd and underwater crime scene investigations student at Florida State University to leading a cutting-edge Real Time Crime Center. Nick shares how a dropped phone helped unravel a multi-county commercial burglary ring tied to more than 150 burglaries, how cell site analysis became one of his specialties, and why critical thinking is one of the most important skills an analyst can develop. He also discusses the challenges of building a Real Time Crime Center from the ground up, balancing technology with community trust, and how analysts can become trusted partners by getting out from behind the desk. Plus, Nick shares an emotional analyst badge story involving a gang-related murder investigation that highlights the real-world impact analysts can have on victims’ families and the pursuit of justice.
🎧 Listen, share, and keep talking! [Note:  Description produced by ChatGPT.]

This episode contains the new segment "Don't Be That Supervisor;" got any tips or stories you'd like to share? Let us know via leapodcasts@gmail.com or on any of our social media accounts!
Josh Todd (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/atwje-josh-todd-the-adirondack-analyst/ )
Kevin Mitchell (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/atwje-kevin-mitchell-the-it-specialist/)
Jan Mondale (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/atwje-jan-mondale-inquiring-minds/)
Emily Blackburn (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/atwje-emily-blackburn-two-screen-diva/)

Name Drops: Nikki North (00:40:39), Steve Gottlieb (00:55:29),
Public Service Announcements:
Join our podcast team! LEAPodcasts is looking for volunteer researchers to help create resources and content for the law enforcement analysis profession. Interested individuals can send a brief email along with a resume, CV, or short bio to leapodcasts@gmail.com.
Related Links:
https://www.accgov.com/200/Police/police
https://criminology.fsu.edu/
https://leadsonline.com/cellhawk
Association(s) Mentioned: RTCCA
Vendor(s) Mentioned: Cellhawk
Contact:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-barker-39540284/   
Transcript:  https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/2vmcagtm9jrmepsb/NickBarker_transcript.pdf 
Podcast Writer:
Podcast Researcher:
Theme Song: Written and Recorded by The Rough & Tumble. Find more of their music at www.theroughandtumble.com.
Logo: Designed by Kyle McMullen. Please visit www.moderntype.com for any printable business forms and planners.
Podcast Email: leapodcasts@gmail.com 
Podcast Webpage: www.leapodcasts.com 
Podcast X: @leapodcasts

00:00:17 Introducing Nick
00:02:17 Discovering law enforcement analysis
00:04:41 Underwater crime scene investigations
00:07:37 Florida Highway Patrol and facial recognition fraud cases
00:11:11 Transitioning to Athens Clarke County
00:17:50 Commercial burglary ring and cell site analysis
00:20:44 Joining CellHawk
00:24:24 Building a Real Time Crime Center
00:39:38 Community concerns and public transparency
00:48:13 Analyst badge story: gang-related murder investigation
00:54:33 Advice for analysts
00:58:22 Don’t Be That Supervisor segment
01:07:49 Baseball, softball, and community policing
01:12:23 Words to the World