Episode: 00339 Released on October 5, 2026 Description: Kimber Burks-Reece has spent more than two decades with the Harris County Sheriff's Office, building a career that has taken her from working as a patrol clerk to supporting investigations, working alongside HIDTA and FBI analysts, helping develop an analytical unit, and providing real time crime and intelligence support.
In this episode of Analyst Talk, Kimber joins Jason to talk about how she discovered crime analysis almost by accident and the experiences that shaped the analyst she became. She shares her Analyst Badge Story involving a stolen vehicle, a license plate reader hit, and a robbery crew that officers were able to track as the investigation unfolded.
Kimber also shares her three dos and three don'ts of case support. She explains why analysts need to know their audience, read between the lines, ask better questions, and continue working a problem even after a suspect has been identified or arrested. She also discusses the importance of not burning bridges, getting other analysts involved in your work, and continuing to learn as technology, investigative techniques, and the profession change.
The conversation explores information sharing between agencies, building relationships with investigators, communicating analytical findings effectively, and Kimber's involvement with TXLEAN and the Greater Houston law enforcement analyst community. Kimber also discusses her unique role with the Harris County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard and how volunteering outside her traditional analyst responsibilities helped her build relationships throughout the agency. Plus, Jason and Kimber look back at what technology, entertainment, and life were like when she began her career in 2005, talk books and reading, and close with Kimber's Words to the World about keeping work in perspective and not allowing the difficult parts of the job to define the rest of your life. 🎧 Listen, share, and keep talking! [Note: Description produced by ChatGPT.]
Name Drops: Linda Green (00:03:20), Deanna Roman (00:07:40), Erin Havelka (00:13:00), Sergeant Thomas (00:27:10), Major Razo (00:27:30), Matt White x2/Joe Ryan (00:56:00), Heather Lane (00:57:20), Krista Whitehead (01:00:00), Michael Jackson/Lauren Patterson (01:01:30), Anne Bishop (01:05:30), L.J. Smith (01:06:30), Sherrilyn Kenyon/Laurel K. Hamilton/Sarah J. Maas (01:07:00), James Lichau (01:10:15)
Erin Havelka (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/analyst-talk-erin-havelka-the-intern-turned-mentor-analyst/)
Jennifer Scavotto (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/analyst-talk-jennifer-scavotto-from-calls-to-cases-to-command/)
Victoria Curtis (https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/analyst-talk-victoria-curtis-from-air-force-nerd-to-crime-analyst-intern/)
Related Links:
https://harriscountyso.org/
https://www.txlean.com/
Krista Whitehead: https://www.leapodcasts.com/e/atwje-krista-whitehead-the-on-the-rocks-analyst/
Association(s) Mentioned: TXLEAN, Greater Houston Law Enforcement Analyst Network
Vendor(s) Mentioned: i2, Penlink, Multitude Insights (BLNT)
Contact: kimber.burks@sheriff.hctx.net; https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimber-reece-8a81aa26/
Transcript: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/5dkfsubken2zvtkg/KimberReece_Transcript.pdf
Podcast Writer:
Podcast Researcher:
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Podcast Email: leapodcasts@gmail.com
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00:00:25 - Introducing Kimber
00:01:28 - Discovering Law Enforcement Analysis
00:06:45 - Building an Analytical Foundation at HIDTA
00:13:30 - Building the Harris County Analytical Unit
00:20:00 - Transitioning to a Real Time Crime Center
00:25:00 - Kimber's Analyst Badge Story
00:33:00 - Analyst Advice and the Harris County Honor Guard
00:43:00 - The Dos and Don'ts of Case Support
00:55:00 - Information Sharing, TXLEAN, and Greater Houston
01:05:00 - Personal Interests: Books and 2005
01:07:49 - Words to the World
