Solitary work is reality for many analysts working at the local level of law enforcement. You may be the only analyst in your agency and, often, many of your co-workers do not understand what you really do. Assistance is not readily available. Direction and guidance may be non-existent. In such situations networking is crucial to your workplace development and job satisfaction.
How can you network? Join the main analyst associations, IACA and IALEIA. Join regional analysts' associations. Go to task force meetings and meet analysts working in your region. Go to analyst conferences. Ask questions. Help others. Ask for help. Be reliable to others and you will be able to rely on them.
Find a mentor, or two, or three... Connect with academics. Apply research principles to your work, even if no one in your agency understands that this is what you are doing. Be bold enough to interact with the command staff of your agency. Share relevant white papers evidence-based policing solutions, and problem-oriented policing ideas with them. Stand up for progress.
Get more education and training - be sure connect with your classmates as well as the instructors.
Join LinkedIn and connect with other analysts there. Reach out to them with a message when it is relevant. Ask for help and offer help.
Prepare to add to the growth of law enforcement analysis. Develop a specialty based on your interests and experience. Write an article. Present at conferences. Move the profession forward.
Read this article: How to Network Like You Really Mean It
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