Thinking Differently: How autistic girls can make amazing Intelligence Analysts

I am a Senior Intelligence Analyst for the police. Today, I want to focus on something very important. The way that you think matters. Thinking differently is not a problem. It is a strength, and it can make a real difference.

You might be wondering, what is an Intelligence Analyst?

Intelligence Analysts are part of the police, but we are Police Staff rather than Police Officers. That means we do not arrest people. Instead, we help solve problems and protect people in a different way.

We work with information, usually on computers, either in police stations or sometimes from home. We look for patterns, notice details that other people might miss, and work out how different pieces of information connect.

We bring together things like times, places, travel, relationships, and behaviour. Then we piece them together, a bit like solving a puzzle.

That puzzle has a purpose. It might help find a missing person who needs help or help us understand where a criminal may be hiding. We share our findings with Police Officers, who can then take action to keep people safe or arrest the criminal.

There are thousands of Intelligence Analysts across the country. Most are women, and many are neurodiverse. Every day, they help protect people through their work.

Autistic people can often notice things that others don’t. This could be patterns, small details, or things that just don’t add up. You may also be able to focus on something you enjoy for a long time.

If you have ever thought, “That doesn’t make sense,” or found yourself really focused on something, those are the kinds of strengths that intelligence analysts use every day.

Nobody thinks in the same way and that is a good thing.

In the police, it helps when people see things differently. It means we can question ideas, notice risks, and understand situations better.

Autistic people can think in original ways. Maybe you ask questions others don’t think to ask or notice something everyone else has missed. That difference can lead to really important discoveries.

Those discoveries can help protect people and catch criminals sooner. This is why our greatest teams are those made up of people with different skills, experiences, and views.

Although many Police Officers are men, most Intelligence Analysts are women.

There are already lots of women helping shape how policing works. There is space for your ideas, your voice, and your way of thinking.

Intelligence analysis is not just one type of person sitting behind a desk. It is a diverse and growing area, where women and neurodiverse people are making a difference every day.

The police understand that different ways of thinking lead to better decisions. Being neurodivergent is not something you need to ‘fix’. It is something to be valued.

The police strive to be supportive. This can include things like noise cancelling headphones and clear direct communication. This isn’t about special treatment. They are ways to help people do their best.

There are also Neurodiversity Networks in many police forces. These groups provide support, share experiences, and help improve the workplace. There is also the National Police Autism Association, which works to support autistic people in policing and improve understanding more widely.

There is also the British Association for Women in Policing, which advocates on behalf of thousands of women working across policing.

If you are wondering where you might fit and what your future could look like, the truth is there is not just one answer, joining the police is one, as is being an Intelligence Analyst.

There are many different roles across policing. You may see yourself as a Police Officer, a Forensic Scientist, a Cyber Specialist, or an Administration Officer.

All of these roles matter. All of them help people.

The important thing to know is that your attention to detail, your honesty, your focus, and the way you see the world are strengths.

The world needs people who think differently. Policing needs people who think differently. That means there is a place for you.

So keep being curious. Keep asking questions and remember that the way your mind works is something to be proud of.

Lee Allen is the Senior Intelligence Analyst for the Tackling Organised Exploitation (TOEX) programme within the Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU). TOEX delivers specialist intelligence and analytical support to police forces investigating complex organised exploitation. He has over a decade’s experience in intelligence analysis, supporting major crime and organised crime investigations at local, force, and regional levels. Before joining the police, Lee worked at the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) in London as an Immigration Officer and Regional Integrity Analyst.

Through his personal and professional life, Lee has close connections with autistic family members, friends, and colleagues. He is passionate about supporting autistic people to thrive and recognise their strengths and value.’