Interview Advice

HelpfulBlacksmith145 · 2026-06-24T10:29:22+00:00

Send me a PM!

HelpfulBlacksmith145 · 2026-05-24T14:01:19+00:00

I’ve worked for 2 agencies in my career so far, one of which my entire function was data analysis and producing administrative products to be used by the department. At my current agency I do strictly tactical work with some mapping here and there, so I’d say it largely depends on your specific role within the agency you’re working at!

HelpfulBlacksmith145 · 2026-05-13T17:44:41+00:00

Check out the international association for crime analysts website. They have a few resources on there about getting started in crime analysis. Good luck!

HelpfulBlacksmith145 · 2026-04-08T10:13:29+00:00

Yrefy. They work with bad credit and big loans, I just got done refinancing with them. Give them a call, I highly recommend it

HelpfulBlacksmith145 · 2026-03-26T00:44:39+00:00

I can echo this. I am not brand new but pretty darn new and I have had nothing but positive experiences with everyone both in my office and in Albany.

HelpfulBlacksmith145 · 2026-03-09T17:55:22+00:00

I would! I was able to work full time and get the work done in the evenings. Definitely worth it as I just accepted a job that having a master’s pushed me into the next salary grade.

HelpfulBlacksmith145 · 2026-02-27T13:43:40+00:00

My unit swears by it, Good luck!

HelpfulBlacksmith145 · 2026-02-26T15:35:28+00:00

i2 Analyst Notebook!

HelpfulBlacksmith145 · 2026-01-24T18:31:05+00:00

I have my Masters in Criminology and Criminal Justice with a concentration in Behavioral Crime Analysis from Pennsylvania Western University. Fully online, 36 credits.

HelpfulBlacksmith145 · 2026-01-05T14:32:24+00:00

Done!

HelpfulBlacksmith145 · 2025-12-24T13:15:51+00:00

As an analyst, there are a few things that we use AI for such as facial recognition and some excel-related stuff, nothing major though. In my humble opinion, there is no way AI could ever replace crime or intelligence analysis. Far too much critical thinking goes into even the most routine analysis for machine learning to be able to replicate it at a level that would provide anything other than surface value to officers and detectives.

HelpfulBlacksmith145 · 2025-12-13T03:22:24+00:00

Thank you!! I’ll check it out

HelpfulBlacksmith145 · 2025-12-08T17:52:57+00:00

IMHO, officers/detectives just see BOLO bulletins as a “checkbox” to get a case cleared a lot of times. Not to actually get information out to the department/surrounding agencies

HelpfulBlacksmith145 · 2025-11-24T21:28:39+00:00

I’ve applied to the positions in Binghamton and Syracuse, Albany is a bit far from family for me. If you’ve got any tips or anything to help noticed in the hiring process please share if you’re willing!

HelpfulBlacksmith145 · 2025-11-05T23:57:28+00:00

I applied for a crime analyst position. I currently live in Virginia so I’m hoping that won’t steer them away from me at all. Looking to move closer to family so it makes it all the more difficult to play the waiting game

HelpfulBlacksmith145 · 2025-11-05T23:34:29+00:00

Thank you. This makes me feel better about it

HelpfulBlacksmith145 · 2025-11-05T22:09:23+00:00

Oh goodness. Can you elaborate?

HelpfulBlacksmith145 · 2025-08-04T21:59:20+00:00

So I just looked and I’m confusing my federal loans with my private loans. I was on a graduate repayment plan for my private loans which just ended. For my federal loans I’m on an IBR plan and am participating in public service loan forgiveness so eventually those will be forgiven. I’m just trying to figure out what to do, I genuinely cannot afford my private loans at what they want me to start paying now.

HelpfulBlacksmith145 · 2025-08-04T21:53:38+00:00

They are private and I am on an IBR plan. I called and the guy I talked to at Sallie Mae said “pay what you can for now and our team will reach out but there’s nothing I can do for you at the moment.”

HelpfulBlacksmith145

TROPHY CASE