When you walk up to that door, everything slows down. I’m talking heart-in-your-throat seconds where you go over every step, every decision that brought you there. It looks simple—a knock and a conversation—but it's more like balancing on the edge of a knife.Yeah, and you can’t... you can’t really know what’s on the other side, right? I mean, it could be someone totally cooperative—or someone who’s hiding something truly horrific.Exactly. And, you know, it’s not just the door. It’s the lead-up. You prepare meticulously. What does the file say? Is there a legal angle we missed? If they react badly, what’s the contingency? All of that—and yet, when your hand goes to knock, there’s still this—Adrenaline.Yeah. Adrenaline. There’s no amount of training that completely erases it.My very first knock-and-talk was back when I was a rookie detective.Oh, I gotta hear this.Alright—new partner, new protocol. I show up outside this split-level house with plastic flamingos on the lawn. Quiet neighborhood, mailboxes lined up at perfect angles. The guy answers, casual as if it’s his neighbor stopping by to borrow sugar. But right away, I knew something wasn’t right.How could you tell?It’s subtle—a flicker in his eyes, the micro-expression they call it. You don’t forget the first time you see someone silently calculate their options while standing in front of you. Do they talk? Slam the door? Run?Right, it’s gotta be such a delicate balance. You have to get them talking, but without tipping your hand too much, right?Exactly. And staying composed—that’s crucial. Even when you suspect the worst, your tone, your demeanor, they have to communicate professionalism, not intimidation. But it’s not just about getting them to talk—it’s about earning just enough trust that they let you keep talking.Yeah, there’s like... a psychology to it. Almost conversational chess.That’s a good way of putting it. I learned early on that if you don’t master that dynamic, you can lose access to evidence, miss admissions, or—worst of all—fail to protect someone at risk.And it’s not just your mindset, right? It’s your whole team. Everyone has to be, like, lockstep.Absolutely. Because when that door opens, you’re no longer in rehearsals. The stakes are real. You’re making decisions that can lead to rescue—or ruin—so every second counts.So, there we are, standing on the porch, and it’s like everything we just talked about—the psychology, the tension—it’s all in play. The guy opens with some small talk, “Nice weather we’re having,” or whatever harmless thing. But then we mentioned the platform and the uploads, and there it was—that shift. His whole demeanor changed in an instant.What kind of shift?He hesitated, just for a moment. It was one of those micro-moments where you see someone’s internal gears jam for a second. And then? He asked for a lawyer.Whoa—Yeah, and when that happens? It’s like a light switch. You go from maybe to definitely. That’s why body language is so crucial—we’re trained to notice those small tells. It’s not about what they’re saying, but everything else.It’s so true. I actually had a case once—it was an older guy, super unassuming. We sat down, started going over some details, real casual. But when I mentioned a specific username connected to the uploads? His face kind of froze.That freeze—Right? It was like... his whole body tensed for a split second, and then he immediately pivoted the conversation. Started asking really specific questions about what we already knew. That’s when I knew we had him.It’s those pivot points. They can try to cover, change the subject, even act confused—but the moment they redirect like that, it’s a huge red flag.Exactly. Sometimes, it’s like they’re trying to figure out what move gets them in the least trouble. And uh, Derek, honestly, it kinda amazes me how much you can pick up before you’ve even found the hard evidence.Well, it all comes back to training—and trust me, I’ve had plenty of times I’ve misread situations. But when it all clicks, when the tells confirm what your files hinted at? That’s when you take the next steps. And you don’t hesitate.When he asked for a lawyer, that tension we’d been reading? It hit its peak. Moments like that, you’ve got to trust your instincts and training. So we moved quickly—every second counts in cases like this, especially when there might be others at risk.And that’s when the team lights up, right? Like, everyone’s switching into crisis mode?Exactly. We contacted the judge, got the warrant approved, and secured the home. It’s controlled chaos, but everything has to be coordinated perfectly because failure at any step, even something small, can compromise the entire case—or worse, the safety of a child.And this is where the collaboration kicks in. I mean, you're not just doing your thing solo. It feels like everyone has to trust the process.Right, and that trust goes beyond your immediate team. It’s local enforcement, federal agencies, digital platforms, and even neighbors or communities sometimes. Everyone plays a piece in protecting these kids.That’s huge. I remember a case where we found out a neighbor had seen something but didn’t really think anything of it until we started asking the right questions. Those details ended up leading to a second arrest. And honestly, I think about that all the time—how one conversation can completely shift everything.That’s it. In this case, during the search, we discovered pictures of a child that wasn’t in our system. That was a tipping point. We realized this wasn’t just about digital evidence—it was an active protection situation. We had to notify the family immediately and get the child help.How did you even begin to make that call? That’s gotta be—I mean, I can’t imagine explaining that to a parent.It’s one of the hardest parts of the job. You take a deep breath, focus on what matters—getting them support and making sure they know their child is safe. You don’t sugarcoat, but you walk them through it step by step. And you follow up. Always follow up.That follow-up part is so important. It’s like the case doesn’t just end when the cuffs go on. There’s the rescue, the support system, the legal aftermath—it’s layers and layers of work.Yeah, and that’s why timely action and teamwork are so critical. In this case, the suspect was convicted, and the child is now safe in a protective environment. But we know there’s always more work to do. Every knock changes lives—not just for the victims but for their families, their communities.And I think that’s what sticks with me the most. These moments, as gut-wrenching as they can be, they're moments that matter. Like, they remind you why you do what you do.Exactly. And that’s what drives us, to wake up every day and do it all over again. Because in the end, protecting one child makes every struggle worth it.Well, Derek, I’m grateful we can share these stories. Hopefully, they inspire someone listening to step up and get involved—because honestly? There’s no room for bystanders in this fight.No, there isn’t. And with that, I just want to thank everyone who tuned in today. If you found this meaningful, or if it sparked something in you—share it, subscribe, and help us spread awareness.Every voice counts. Thank you for listening, and take care out there.

Episodes

The Knock