Dr. Jessica Herbert (she/her/hers), Founder/CEO of IDEA Analytics, brings over 20 years of experience in policing, research, and data science to lead clients through transformational projects. As the leader of IDEA Analytics, Jessica believes the best path for change and transformation includes meaningful collaboration with stakeholders. She implements these values throughout IDEA’s four-phased approach to help organizations Identify their current and desired objectives, Develop sustainable changes and responses, Educate staff and community on new approaches, and Assess progress toward organizational goals.

Jessica’s career has spanned government, public, and private industry. She began her path as a law enforcement officer in Fairfax County (VA) where her analytical and investigative skills supported multi-year investigations for the Northern Virginia Violent Crime and Firearm Taskforce, a collaboration among Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, Fairfax Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), United States Secret Service (USSS), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In this capacity,  Jessica supported interstate and international investigations regarding firearm, human, and drug trafficking, money laundering, and other complex crimes. Upon leaving public service, Jessica leveraged her investigative skills with private industry on cybersecurity threats within financial, energy, and manufacturing industries, resulting in protections against domestic assets and intellectual property. During this time, she also held a teaching position with George Mason University (GMU) Criminology, Law and Society Department on topics of Homeland Security, Intelligence Analysis, and Policing. She also sponsored GMU’s student-led Intelligence Community Group, developing events to engage with Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Department of Defense (DoD) leaders for intelligence simulations and exercises.

In focusing most recently on domestic policing topics, Jessica applies her leadership, expertise, and advisement to public safety officials on matters of data-driven or intelligence-led policing, problem solving, program strategies, and organizational change. Her expertise has been leveraged within national crime reduction initiatives such as the Office of Justice Programs’ (OJP) Diagnostic Center, the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) Violent Reduction Network(VRN)/National Public Safety Partnership (PSP), Crime Analysis on Demand and Technology Initiatives, and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). In addition, Jessica works with the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Human Trafficking Capacity Building Center and Field-generated Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance programs, and with Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Program’s (OJJDP) juvenile justice reform efforts to coordinate with victim service providers, nonprofits, and community-based organizations. Her multi-system and collaborative work approaches resulted in sustainable, long-term strategies to support organizational shifts and enhance data-driven responses to community needs.

Jessica’s individualized and pragmatic approach to every project has earned her awards and commendations from local government leaders, United States Attorney’s Office, the ATF, and community members. These successes are informed by her past work in over 80 cities, focusing on strategic decision making for local governments of all sizes.  Jessica’s ability to help clients quickly assess and articulate their needs and develop a path through implementation has made her a sought-after strategic partner. 

Dr. Herbert holds double bachelor’s degrees of Administration of Justice and Sociology from George Mason University, a Master of Arts in Global Security Studies from Johns Hopkins University and her Doctorate in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Arizona State University. She has several professional certifications in topics of design learning, data science, and other technical skills. Her research interests focus on organizational behaviors and capacity building for public safety and communities to support change, which she is always excited to talk about with others. When not traveling around the US and other countries, Jessica lives in the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix, Arizona) where she supports the small business community, enjoys hiking, meditation, and the cultures of the SouthWest.

2022

Journal Article | The Frequency and Clustering of Autism-Related Behaviors During Encounters between the Police and the Autistic Community
Wallace, D., Herbert, J., Hassrick McGhee, E., & Kabourek, S.
Policing: An International Journal, Special Edition on Police Contact with Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities

Case Study | Orlando (FL) Police Department Crime Center
Herbert, J.L. & Corona, A.
Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Crime Analysis on Demand Initiative

2021

Journal Article | The Informal, Non-Organizational Ways Police Officers Receive Training on Encounters with Autistic Individuals
Herbert, J.L., Pelletier, K. & Wallace, D.
Policing

White Paper | Scanning and Analysis: The Initial Phases of Starting Crime Reduction Programs
Hubbert, N., & Herbert, J.L.

White Paper | Appropriate Response Committee Initiative
Corona, A., Hubbert, N., & Herbert, J.L.
Yakima (WA) Police Department

Action Plan | Gang and Gun Violence in Rural Cities
Herbert, J.L. & Corona, A.
Project Safe Neighborhoods: Yakima (WA) Police Department

2020

Journal Article | Interactions between Individuals on the Autism Spectrum and the Police: The Fears of Parents, Caregivers and Professionals.
Wallace, D., Herbert, J.L., Tyler, D. and McGee-Hassrick, E.
Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice

White Paper | Crime Analysis: Considerations for Establishing or Enhancing Capacity
Wartell, J., & Herbert, J.L.
Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance National Public Safety Partnership Program.

Case Study | School Resource Officers’ Identification of Student Risk Factors
Herbert, J. L.

Action Plan | Developing a Crime Regional Crime Information Center: Salisbury (NC)
Herbert, J.L. & Smith, P.
SMART Policing; Salisbury (NC) Police Department

Report | Data Collection and Audit – Police Improvements to Data for Reducing Crime: Jackson (MS) Police Department.
Herbert, J.L.
Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Crime Analysis on Demand Initiative

Report | Building Analytical Capacity: Amarillo (TX) Police Department
Herbert, J.L. (2020).
Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance National Public Safety Partnership Program.

Report | Building Analytical Capacity: Harris County (TX) Sheriff Office
Herbert, J.L.
Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance National Public Safety Partnership Program

Report | Technology Planning and Implementation: Harris County (TX) Sheriff Office
Herbert, J.L.
Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance National Public Safety Partnership Program

Report | Building Analytical Capacity: Orlando (FL) Police Department.
Herbert, J.L.
Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Crime Analysis on Demand Initiative.

2019

Dissertation | But I am Here to Help: How School Climate Factors and Interactions Define School Resource Officer Roles
Herbert, J.L.
Arizona State University

Report | Evaluation of Operation Santa Patrol: Salisbury (NC) Police Department
Hatcher, J. & Herbert, J.L.

Report | Building Analytical Capacity: Springfield (IL) Police Department
Herbert, J.L. & Hubbert, N.
Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance National Public Safety Partnership Program

Report | Building Analytical Capacity: Baton Rouge (LA) Police Department
Herbert, J.L. & Hubbert, N.
Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance National Public Safety Partnership Program

Article | Data Management
Herbert, J.L.
Barnes, J.C. & Forde, D.R. (ed.) The Encyclopedia of Research Methods & Statistical Technique in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Wiley Blackwell: Hoboken, New Jersey.

Article | Human Subjects Research
Herbert, J.L.
Found in Barnes, J.C. & Forde, D.R. (ed.) The Encyclopedia of Research Methods & Statistical Technique in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Wiley Blackwell: Hoboken, New Jersey.

Research | Behaviors Displayed by Individuals with Autism During Police Encounters.
Wallace, D., & Herbert, J.

University Teaching Experience

• Nature of Crime (CRJ 521, Graduate – Online): Spring 2019
• Seminar in Gangs (CRJ 522, Graduate – Online): Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Summer 2019
• The British Roots of U.S. Criminal Justice (CRJ 394, Undergraduate – Abroad): Summer 2018

• Introduction to Homeland Security (CRIM 230, Undergraduate): Fall 2014, Spring 2015
• Law Enforcement and Homeland Security (CRIM 462, Undergraduate): Spring 2015
• Surveillance in Contemporary Society (CRIM 460, Undergraduate): Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Fall 2014, Spring 2015
• Criminal Justice Ethics (CRIM 306, Undergraduate): Spring 2013, Summer 2013

Professional Development Teaching Experience (*DENOTES ONLINE AND IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION)

• Investigative Analysis Techniques*
• Introduction to Financial Intelligence*
• Dark Web and Open Source Investigations*
• Dark Web Inquiries for Probation Officers
• Data Collection Standards*
• Surveillance and Undercover Officer Techniques
• Crime Analysis for Task Force Operations
• Visualizing Financial Investigations for Prosecution*
• Crime and Intelligence Analysis Techniques
• Critical Thinking for Analysts
• Analytical Writing Standards
• Effective Writing for Law Enforcement
• Reporting for Complex Investigations
• Development of Community Partnerships and Neighborhood Collaborative Councils*
• Development of Analytical Units
• Operational and Strategic Planning for leadership teams

2021

2019

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2016

2015

2014