Good day and welcome to Powers on Policing; a podcast devoted to the world of law enforcement and criminal investigations from the perspective and first-hand accounts of and by the professionals who have devoted their lives and careers to making our country a better and safer place for all. My name is Bill Powers and I have been active in the law enforcement community for the past five decades. To borrow a phrase, “I know a thing or two because I’ve seen a thing or two.” Working together with my partner Jordan Rich we will present a view of the pr...
Latest episodes
-
38 min
“Closure” and “Finality” Ring Hollow with Victim’s Families
Bryan Kohberger’s lifesaving plea has been accepted and he now resides in the care and custody of the Idaho corrections system. Presumably, for the rest of his life. He was not ask…
-
24 min
To Live or Die? He was Given a Choice: His Victims Were Not
In Part 2 of the discussion, Bill addresses how Bryan Kohberger used the Idaho death penalty statute to his advantage and eluded a jury decision that could have resulted in his dea…
-
34 min
4 Slaughtered in Idaho and Their Killer Pleas for Mercy
There is no crime as alarming as the report of vicious, unexplained homicide. Multiply that by four, and learn that the victims are all college students and their community is a sm…
-
31 min
Do I need a Search Warrant? Let’s talk about it!
The 4th Amendment protects people from “unreasonable searches” by government officials. All other searches require a search warrant. How does a judge determine what is reasonable a…
-
19 min
Search and Seizure and the Rules that Govern the Process
In this episode, Bill and Jordan begin a thorough examination into the complex subject and nature of investigative searches and seizures. The 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution…
-
20 min
Evidence: The Focus is on Quality not Quantity
The “weight of evidence” in a criminal trial does not refer to quantity. It is about the relevancy, credibility and persuasiveness to convince one side’s argument over the other. I…
-
26 min
Meaning of Evidence
Bill and Jordan return after a short winter break and pick up where they left off. Opening with a short recap of the last two episodes, they speak of the differing roles and respon…
-
29 min
Initial Cares and Concerns at a Crime Scene
Nothing elevates a police officer’s blood pressure quicker than a radio call dispatching them to a potentially violent crime scene. Thoughts of a swift and safe arrival are quickly…
-
31 min
How Policing Works
Characterizing someone based solely on their choice of clothing says more about you than it does them. This is especially true when talking about police officers who dress for work…
-
21 min
The Distinctions between Criminal and Civil Law and Why they Matter
Have you ever considered or been curious about the substantial differences in the standard of proof in a criminal vs. civil court action? Why does one require the heavier burden of…
-
26 min
CI Focus Series 1: You Want the Truth? I’ll Tell You the Truth
This week’s episode is the first in an all-encompassing series of conversations about criminal investigations and criminal court proceedings. The information provided throughout th…
-
41 min
1st Amendment and the Freedoms of Expression
The encouragement and allowance of peaceful protest and free speech is a cornerstone of the United States Constitution and is solidified in the First Amendment. Our nation was crea…
-
47 min
The Trial and the Defense of Insanity
This episode concludes the discussion about the mass murder in Wakefield MA. on December 26, 2001. Previously, Jordan and Bill led listeners through an exhaustive examination of th…
-
30 min
Trial Preparation and the Legal Process
A defendant always has the presumption of innocence, and the prosecution always carries the burden of proving their case “beyond a reasonable doubt”. The burden is high because the…
-
26 min
Crime Scene Processing and Executing Search Warrants
We continue our review of the mass murder in Wakefield and focus on the importance of protecting the crime scene in the original condition, preserving it from additional contaminat…
-
28 min
Managing a Large Scale Investigation and Crime Scene
Every death investigation presents unforeseen and unpredictable issues and complications. Each requires immediate, but considered decision making to restore order and safety, prese…
-
26 min
Investigation and Prosecution of a Mass Murder in Wakefield MA -Part 1
Every homicide investigation and prosecution is unique and, while there may be similarities to other cases, no two are ever identical. An often-quoted legal principle states “Each…
-
32 min
Applying Technical and Scientific Advances to Criminal Investigations and the Courtroom Challenges they Presen…
Growing technological and scientific improvements and their application and benefit in criminal investigations has been extraordinary and at times mind-boggling. But, with the chan…
-
28 min
A Candid Discussion on Becoming and Evolving as a Homicide Investigator
Today’s episode launches a new chapter in our podcast series. For the foreseeable future, the focus will be on the investigation and prosecution of homicide cases. Listen as we wal…
-
20 min
INVESTIGATIONS
Join us in this first episode of a new chapter as we transition from a general overview of policing in America today, to an in-depth look at criminal investigations.In many instanc…