The Detectives Podcast

Dave and Steve explain how detectives build investigative timelines using witness statements, surveillance footage, phone records, digital data, financial transactions, and other evidence. They break down how timelines help establish sequence, test alibis, expose contradictions, identify gaps, and determine what was physically possible. They also discuss why timestamps must be verified, how timeli...

In this edition of CrimeSCENES, Dave and Steve take Martin Scorsese’s The Departed through the official scorecard from the perspective of two active detectives. They explore whether the undercover operation at the center of the story could actually work, along with the film’s portrayal of organized crime, informants, police corruption, investigative decisions, and the emotional toll. They compare...

Detectives investigate crimes, interview suspects, and make arrests, but what else comes with the job? In this episode, Dave and Steve explore the parts of being a detective that many people never see or may not even know about. From unexpected responsibilities to the work that continues long after an investigation ends, they reveal how much of the job happens outside the crime scene. Because yes,...

In our August Squad Meeting, we celebrate Dave’s birthday, reflect on the start of year two of the podcast, and talk about our new series, CrimeSCENES . We revisit Heat (1995), break down a scorecard submitted by one of our Investigative Commanders, and announce August’s movie! Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free...

An officer and a driver usually meet as complete strangers, each carrying their own fears, assumptions, and unknowns into the traffic stop. In this episode, Dave and Steve examine these encounters from both perspectives, discussing what officers experience as they approach a vehicle, what drivers and passengers may be feeling, and the rights and responsibilities that exist on both sides. It’s an h...

Patreon Lead Detective Jen joins Dave and Steve to discuss going through a Citizens Academy program with her husband and getting an inside look at police work. She shares what they expected, what surprised them, and the experiences that stood out most. From traffic stops and investigations to training and the human side of the job, the conversation explores what the public often misunderstands and...

Welcome to the first episode of CrimeSCENES, a new series from The Detectives Podcast. Each episode, Dave and Steve put a different cop movie under the microscope through the eyes of two active detectives. They'll talk investigations, police procedures, criminal behavior, courtroom realities, and the emotional toll of the job, all while separating Hollywood from real life. This time, they're break...

Dave and Steve break down the body camera footage from Dustin Poirier's public intoxication arrest at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, using it as a real example of police de-escalation done right. They cover what de-escalation actually is, what it isn't, and how officers use time, distance, and backup to avoid unnecessary force. The episode also looks closely at the responding officer's handling of a...

State police dispatcher Emily joins Dave and Steve for a conversation about the stories behind the headset, from the calls that made her laugh to the voices she still carries home. She explains how dispatchers read people without seeing them, recognize clues hidden in background noise, coordinate major incidents, and sometimes save officers and citizens before anyone reaches the scene. Along the w...

One year after launching The Detectives Podcast, we’re using this July 2026 Squad Meeting to look back at everything that made our first year more than we ever expected. We talk about launching the show in July 2025, breaking into Apple’s Top 100 True Crime chart, building our Patreon Squad, attending conventions, winning three podcast awards, and welcoming some incredible guests along the way. We...

“Come back with a warrant.” Don't worry, we already got one. In this episode, Dave and Steve take listeners behind the scenes of the warrant process, from where it begins and how probable cause is built, to judicial review, execution, and what happens after a warrant is served. They break down the differences between search and arrest warrants, tackle common myths about police authority, and expla...

When a case goes cold, it doesn’t mean detectives stop caring or that the victim has been forgotten. In this episode, Dave and Steve discuss what actually causes a case to lose investigative momentum. They look at exhausted leads, limited evidence, uncooperative witnesses, technology limitations, and sometimes, simple bad luck. They also talk about the emotional weight these cases carry, the diffi...

Leadership and rank are not always the same thing, but both matter in law enforcement. In this episode, Dave and Steve discuss the people who shaped them throughout their careers, from supervisors and command staff to veteran officers and detectives whose influence extended far beyond their job titles. They also talk about why leadership has to change with the situation, the challenges that can co...

A viral traffic stop involving a woman accused of holding a cellphone in a hand she doesn’t have raises a much bigger question: what happens when an officer realizes their original assessment may have been wrong? In this episode, Dave and Steve discuss why admitting mistakes can be difficult in a profession built around confidence and decisiveness, how ego can interfere with good judgment, and why...

In this month's Squad Meeting, we share a few podcast updates, including a scheduling change to our live stream this month, and preparations for our upcoming one-year anniversary. We also introduce CrimeSCENES , a new monthly series where we review police movies through the perspective of experienced, active detectives. We explain the Patreon voting process, listener participation, and the evidenc...

When people hear the phrase "circumstantial evidence," they often assume it means investigators don't really know what happened. In reality, circumstantial evidence plays an important role in many criminal investigations and prosecutions. Crimes frequently occur without eyewitnesses, and confessions are less common than many people think. Instead, investigators piece together timelines, forensic f...

Note: We experienced some audio corruption during the first several minutes of this episode. We apologize for the rough audio quality at the beginning. It clears up shortly afterward. This week, Dave and Steve release a special edition of Cross Examined , a Patreon series where listeners join the show and ask questions directly. This episode features Angela, one of the show's Lead Detectives on Pa...

In policing, there are moments where an officer may be legally justified, backed by department policy, and tactically correct, but still ask themselves: just because we can, does that mean we should? The episode explores the tension between procedure and empathy, and how experience changes the way officers view enforcement, suffering, and the people they encounter. Connect with The Detectives Podc...

Dave and Steve take an honest look at why conversations about police mental health continue to repeat themselves year after year. During Mental Health Awareness Month, they break down the reality that most officers already know these struggles exist, yet many departments and individuals still feel stuck in the same cycle. From emotional suppression and command presence to trust gaps, surface-level...

In this May 2026 Squad Meeting, we break down our full weekend at PopCon Indy 2026 from Friday through Sunday. We talk about the convention, the PopCon Podcast Awards, and the incredible conversations we had throughout the weekend. We also share some funny stories, memorable moments, and some of the great food we tried while we were in Indianapolis. Most importantly, we want to thank all of you. N...

Dave and Steve tackle a listener-requested episode on the differences between investigative units. They walk through units like homicide, violent crimes, property crimes, narcotics, cyber, and financial investigations, explaining who handles what and how cases are divided. Speaking from their experience as generalist detectives, they break down the difference between generalist and specialized uni...

In this episode of The Detectives Podcast , Dave and Steve are joined by Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Alex and Josh as part of the First Call to Final Verdict series, focusing on the juvenile justice system from the prosecution side. They walk through how these cases are handled, what factors drive decisions, and what it really means to certify a juvenile to adult court. The conversation covers th...

Dave and Steve sit down with Patience Smith, a Social Service and Crisis Response Specialist embedded with a police department, responding to calls alongside officers. Together, they explore the reality behind dual response policing, where mental health, addiction, and crisis situations intersect with traditional law enforcement. From dispatch to arrival, Patience shares what these calls actually...

Dave and Steve sit down with criminal defense attorney Mike Cunningham as part of their First Call to Final Verdict series. Board certified as a Criminal Trial Specialist through the National Board of Trial Advocacy, Mike has built his career defending constitutional rights in some of the highest-stakes criminal cases. While detectives and defense attorneys usually meet on opposite sides of the co...

In this episode of The Detectives Podcast , Dave and Steve explore what they call “no win decisions.” These are the moments in policing where every available option carries risk and criticism. Drawing on real world experience, they explain how officers often have to choose between imperfect outcomes while balancing public safety, legal limits, and incomplete information. Using examples involving u...