I wanna go find my agency instructors at the Farm who taught me how to ask questions & work on uncovering truth & I want to hug them all. Years later, standing in the rain talking to neighbors about the most horrible of felonies, I’ve never felt so perfectly in my place & time.

Being rude or a bully or ‘good cop bad cop’ doesn’t really work. Informed questioning & a transparent pursuit of the truth—not an outcome—is the most effective way to do my work. Don’t punk people. It never works. It ain’t TV tough guy garbage. It’s all calm prep & calm questions

Like I was riding my beat, I’m very upfront w/ neighbors. Literally the first thing I saw is ‘no tricks’. And I don’t want to jam people up. I’ve told people to stop talking & get a lawyer. I’m interested in the truth, not an outcome. The burden is on me. So lots of prep work...

Again & again my experience as a life guard & search & rescue drives me. I’m not trying to be a hammer or a warrior or a punisher. I’m trying to be a life preserver. Or better yet, a swim coach. We don’t have to be this way. And it solves serious crimes. That’s police work.

And again and again I’m floored at the good work of my colleagues. Watching more experienced detectives work is both a joy and valuable for me. I learn a lot every time.