From Intern To Analyst, KC Native Helps Solve Crimes

It was a text from her grandpa that initially drew Alison Gatzemeyer to her current crime-fighting role.

The text said that the Kansas City Missouri Police Department was accepting applications for a new summer internship program. Gatzemeyer, studying criminology at Missouri State University and on the verge of graduating, applied.

“Some of the interns wanted to be officers, but you also realized there are so many opportunities outside of being an officer,” Gatzemeyer said. “We were at the crime lab for a week, homicide unit for a week. We went on live homicide calls if we wanted to.”

It was a moment with the homicide unit that introduced Gatzemeyer to the role of crime intelligence analyst, which she now holds at KCPD.

“I talked to a crime analyst there, and I didn’t know that job existed,” Gatzemeyer explained. “It was interesting because I could be involved in cases without being in the field.”

A few months after her internship ended, the position became available. Her former supervisors remembered her, reached out to her, and encouraged her to apply. Gatzemeyer believes the relationships she established during her internship and the skills she demonstrated helped her get the job.

Today, Gatzemeyer is an analyst currently working on a financial task force. She’s been conducting cell phone analysis recently on a suspect in order to strengthen evidence for prosecution. It’s detective work from a desk that demands research skills and intuition and comes with a big payoff.

“Knowing you put in the effort and found something detectives really needed and helps society, it’s a nice feeling.”

KCPD’s summer internship program is accepting applications. Apply now -- KCPD Summer College Internship.