Hero Behind the Scene

A Talk with Amy McCarthy, Analyst for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's Information Technology Bureau

 

By Zoe Zhang, Molly Yan, and James Tian 

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Imagine a car speeding down the night time streets of Vegas, zooming through neon lit skyscrapers. A criminal has just committed a crime and is making what he thinks is a successful getaway—there’s no police cars with flashing lights and blaring sirens roaring down the street behind him, no screech of tires, no thrilling car chase we see so often in action movies. But, what he doesn’t know: there are officers behind screens monitoring his every move, directing helicopters flying high and out of sight, and police cars nearby, waiting to arrest the criminal somewhere that wouldn’t endanger pedestrians and other drivers. Sitting behind one of the screens, furiously typing, is Amy McCarthy, an analyst for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s Information Technology Bureau. 

 

Initially working as a psychologist, and later transitioning into an analyst, Ms. McCarthy uses her knowledge and experience to help predict and prevent crimes. She is part of a system that oversees a city of about six hundred thousand residents, which welcomes 42 million visitors annually, and coordinates major events like the Super Bowl and Formula One races. Through this interview, we gained a deeper understanding of the often-overlooked roles within law enforcement and the dedication required to keep a city like Las Vegas safe. Amy shed light on the hardworking individuals who protect us behind the scenes, people we might not always notice. Her journey also reinforced an important lesson for all of us—embracing unexpected opportunities and recognizing our own strengths can lead to meaningful contributions, just as it has in her career.

 

Living in today’s society, we tend to take our safety for granted. Yet, in front of us lives an invisible shield—police officers, firefighters, doctors. Police officers utilize new technology with their analysis skills and teamwork to keep people safe. We have much to learn about their unheard stories.

 

Ms. McCarthy works as a GIS analyst for the Las Vegas Police. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a tool widely used in daily life, from tracking packages to finding the nearest gas station. However, its role extends far beyond these simple applications, proving to be an indispensable asset to law enforcement. Amy uses a powerful analogy to explain GIS’s function: imagine a sprinkler with water droplets scattered across a lawn. While the sprinkler itself is out of sight, the distribution of water droplets reveals its location. In the same way, GIS helps police track crime locations, even when the suspect is not directly visible.

 
Criminals often choose to commit crimes in familiar places and repeat successful tactics, revealing patterns that GIS can track and organize. “People tend to do things in areas that they're comfortable and in ways that they're comfortable,” Amy explains. Through Amy’s previous psychological training and experience interviewing convicted criminals, she is able to interpret the motivations behind criminal actions and successfully analyze the patterns the GIS technology reveals. By actively utilizing GIS technology and her analytical skills, Amy plays a pivotal role in solving crimes in Las Vegas. 

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In a particular case, surveillance footage led officers to heavily suspect a man known to have committed multiple sex crimes in the area. However, the officers weren’t able to identify him due to missing a piece of determinative evidence. Amy used GIS to track the locations of the crimes, identifying patterns in the suspect's movements, and linking the incidents to fill this gap. Her expertise, combined with additional video evidence and a distinctive neck tattoo, helped create a suspect profile that ultimately led to his arrest. “They weren't sure who he was, but since I had written up that profile and sent it to them, they could see in the video that distinct neck tattoo. They knew exactly who this guy was, and they were actually there waiting for him at his house before he even got there,” Amy proudly shared. This example illustrates how GIS allows law enforcement to connect separate incidents, identify patterns, and prevent further crimes.

 

In addition to its role in crime-solving, GIS technology also enhances real-time operational capabilities. Department-issued GIS-enabled apps provide officers with constantly updated maps and real-time information, helping them navigate complex environments, such as temporary structures at large events. Amy explained that “For Formula One, they literally paved roads that didn't exist before, they created a bridge over one of our streets that didn't exist before.” During crowded events, plainclothes officers can’t just “get out a big radio, and they're like, Hey, this is Officer So and so, I got a suspicious backpack over here,” Ms. McCarthy explained. These apps allow officers to track their own location and that of others in the field. Officers can utilize the GIS app to discreetly report suspicious activities by sending a photo along with GPS coordinates. This helps maintain undercover operations and ensures public safety without alarming the crowd.

GIS is just one example of the many advanced tools used in today's policing. Another crucial yet often invisible aspect is the use of Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras. Amy explained that when a crime, such as a car theft, occurs, officers don’t immediately engage in high-speed chases as often depicted in action movies. Instead, they rely on the cameras to track the criminal's every move across the city while keeping officers in the field informed via radio. Amy further highlighted how her team used the method known as “bubbling” to prioritise public safety when crimes occur: “And so again, you think that you're like, haha! I got away, nailed it, and all we're doing is waiting for the safest possible time to take you into custody so that we're not endangering other drivers or pedestrians.” Meanwhile, helicopters operate in "surveillance mode," providing an aerial view without being detected. This careful coordination ensures that officers can wait for the safest opportunity to apprehend the suspect—avoiding reckless driving, pedestrian accidents, or other risks.

On the more advanced side of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) is also making waves in law enforcement. Amy’s team is developing a language learning model to analyze crime reports. By feeding narratives of past crimes into the system, officers can detect trends and identify commonalities that might suggest the same person or tactics are involved. This technology could save valuable time and resources by spotting patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Amy also emphasized the potential risks of AI being exploited for malicious purposes. She shared an example of a criminal who used ChatGPT to inquire about explosives and firearms, leading to the explosion of a Cybertruck in front of a hotel. While AI didn’t provide accurate answers, the incident still made waves online. As AI continues to advance, its potential misuse grows. Amy underscored the importance of using AI carefully, always alongside human judgment, to ensure it serves public safety rather than endangering it.

However, precise data and advanced technology are only part of the equation. True public safety is not just about crime-solving efficiency—it also depends on the trust between law enforcement and the community. The stereotypical image of a police officer is: chasing criminals and solving crimes. But, as Amy said, “It is so much more effective when you already have those relationships [with the communities] in place with the police rather than us showing up and introducing ourselves when there's already stuff going on.” Therefore, officers from the Community Oriented Policing team are focused on building relationships with local communities. Lunar New Year brings a shimmer of red lanterns and fireworks to the streets of Chinatown, families gathering in clusters, their laughter mingling with the rhythmic beat of traditional drums as a golden lion dance weaves through the crowd. Standing amongst them all is the Community Oriented Policing team, not as enforcers of the law, but as part of the celebration. These officers, often seen only in moments of crisis, are present in times of joy too. They greet elders with friendly smiles, exchange jokes with children and pause to chat with locals, listening to their stories and hopes for the new year. This is how a bridge law enforcement erects a bridge to its surrounding community, re-enforcing their shared humanity. 

The same dedication extends beyond festivals and into moments of tension, when trust and understanding matter most. In recent months, as conflicts raged in the Middle East, officers worked closely with both the Israeli and Palestinian communities in Las Vegas, “Given what’s going on in the Middle East, we want to make sure that even though tensions are high over there, none of that is bleeding over here,” Amy explained. “We want to make sure that people are able to go to their respective places of worship freely, and that they don’t feel harassed.” This ensures that no one in the city feels unsafe because of their background or beliefs.

Retracing Amy’s path through working as a therapist, a crime analyst and finally a GIS analyst, we gain many insights that offer us important lessons. Restarting her career after moving to Nevada, Amy embraced new opportunities, showing how transferable skills can open unexpected doors. As Amy herself puts it: “If opportunities come your way in life, if you’re able to say yes, do. Because you just never know when you might end up stumbling upon something that becomes a passion, something that really interests you that you never would have known about.” By seizing unexpected chances, Amy has been able to use her deep understanding of human behavior and analytical mindset towards an expansive role in her community’s safety, security, and wellbeing.

Ms. McCarthy’s story reveals the power of behind-the-scenes work in making our communities safer and more connected. Through her innovative use of GIS technology, her deep understanding of human behavior, and her dedication to fostering trust within the community, Amy has played a pivotal role in not only solving crimes but in creating a more safe and supportive environment for Las Vegas residents. Her work highlights the unsung heroes who shape the safety and security of our communities, proving that real change often happens quietly, with steady determination and a genuine care for those we serve.