Analyst Talk - Victoria Curtis - From Air Force Nerd to Crime Analyst Intern

Episode: 00276 Released on July 21, 2025 Description: What happens when an intern with military intelligence experience is tasked with building a crime analysis unit from scratch? This week on Analyst Talk, host Jason Elder speaks with Victoria Curtis, an intern at the McPherson Police Department in Kansas and former Air Force intelligence officer. Victoria shares how she discovered the law enforcement analysis profession, pitched the creation of an analyst unit, and built it from the ground up. From Excel dashboards to city commission briefings, she offers an inspiring look at determination, innovation, and the power of saying “yes” to your own potential. 🎧 Listen, share, and keep talking!
[Note:  Description produced by ChatGPT.]
This episode includes a call-in segment: Favorite First Jobs.
Jan Mondale (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/atwje-jan-mondale-inquiring-minds/)
Alexander Gulde (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/atwje-alexander-gulde-analyst-work-is-police-work/)
Heather Fairburn (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/atwje-heather-fairburn-the-fire-within/)
Erica Wiles (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/atwje-erika-wiles-venture-forth-and-appreciate/)
Amanda Schenk (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/atwje-amanda-schenk-the-successful-applicant/)
Name Drops:  Sabrina Potts (00:15:28), Jessica Dirks (00:21:40), Chris Delaney (00:29:53), Steve Gottlieb (00:39:30)
Public Service Announcements:
Jeff Vandersip (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/jeffrey-vandersip-the-crackerjack-analyst/)
Shawn Fisher (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/shawn-fisher-the-geographer/)
Related Links:
https://www.mcpcity.com/171/Police-Department
https://www.victoriacurtisanalysis.com/
https://degrees.apps.asu.edu/masters-phd/major/ASU00/PPCRMAGRCT/crime-analysis-graduate-certificate
Association(s) Mentioned:
Vendor(s) Mentioned:
Contact:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-curtis-veteran/
Transcript: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/36u37uzrrbxc4nue/VictoriaCurtis_transcript.pdf
Podcast Writer:
Podcast Researcher:
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00:00:17 – Introducing Victoria
00:08:24 – Air Force
00:11:56 – McPherson PD
00:24:30 – Break:  Jeff Vandersip & Shawn Fisher
00:26:06 – Building a Unit
00:33:34 – ASU Graduate Certificate
00:38:14 – Advice
00:39:25 – Favorite First Jobs
00:51:40 – Personal Interest:  Military Clothing
00:55:00 – Words to the World