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](mailto:unitedkingdom@ialeia.org), https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-o-506b42273/  Transcript: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/4mfj8qpwk4ccdywm/AmyONeill\_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 00:00:25 - 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