Jim Leach began his law enforcement career in 1975 as a patrol officer in a small town in Tennessee. In the next four decades, Mr. Leach would serve as a Tennessee State Trooper, Special Agent and Special Agent in Charge with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and Director of Criminal Investigation with the Tennessee Highway Patrol. He has worked as a cold case homicide investigator for several departments.
In 1994 Jim, along with Jackson Tn. Police Department Commander Dennis Mays and former FBI Special Agent Jerry Bastin formed Training Services Group Inc. TSG provided excellent training to federal, state, and local departments for over 25 years. Thousands of officers attended the classes that centered on police investigation and management, as well as Homeland Security, and Workplace Violence. Training Services Group was privileged to work with The University of Tennessee, The University of Memphis, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and for many years provided specialized training for the Memphis Police Department. Director Leach became well known as an expert in homicide investigation and interviewing.
His educational achievements include a B.S. in Criminal Justice from UT Martin, FBI National Academy (133rd), Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Tennessee Government Executive Institute, and the Arkansas Leader Seminar.
Mr. Leach was honored to serve as Vice-President of the Tennessee Narcotics Investigators Association. In 2003 he received the Award for Outstanding Achievement from the University of Tennessee. Jim was inducted into the Carroll County (TN) Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. He currently hosts the podcast and You Tube channel for Tennessee Underground.
Judge Paul G. Summers, former Tennessee State Attorney General, Court of Criminal Appeals Justice and District Attorney General for the 26th Judicial District in Tennessee.
“Many practitioners of our chosen profession have achieved great deeds during the course of their careers. The author of this volume is one such person who also happens to be blessed with the capability of relating the lessons learned during his law enforcement pilgrimage in a succinct and easily understood professional style.”Charles Thomas Moore, Deputy Commissioner Tennessee Department of Safety (Ret.)
” In “You Can Tell ME”, Director Leach puts 35 years of cold, hard, investigative experience into one concise volume. This is not just a “tricks of the trade” manual. It is an exhaustive treatise on the solid methodology Leach has developed for obtaining valuable information from everyone from reluctant witnesses to wary, hardened criminals. You will not find a more thorough, yet easy to read guidebook for the intricate art of conducting interviews. “You Can Tell ME” should be required reading for all new criminal investigators and a at-hand reference for any law enforcement officer who wants to be successful solving major crimes.’Buster B. Griggs Jr., former Special Agent U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and former Class Counselor/Instructor at the DEA Academy
” Director Leach is recognized throughout Tennessee as well as other areas of the nation as a successful criminal investigator and expert interviewer. He is also an accomplished instructor in many facets of police work and communications. His book is a “must read” for any officer who wishes to enhance their interviewing effectiveness.”Bill R. Thomas. Chief Thomas formerly served as Director of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, Chairman of the Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission, President of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police, and he was the Chief of the Alcoa Tennessee Police Department
“I have known Jimmie Leach for over 30 years and during that time we have worked together on a number of criminal investigations resulting in successful prosecutions at both the state and federal levels. His interviewing skills were always an asset to these investigations and I can attest firsthand to the effectiveness of his techniques. In “You Can Tell ME”, Jimmie has been able to condense his years of success at interviewing into a clear, concise, understandable and easy to remember guide that every reader will find beneficial in refining their interviewing skills.”Michael Barnett, Assistant Special Agent in Charge United States Secret Service (retired)
“Conducting effective interrogations and interviews is an art form and Director Leach is an artist of the highest caliber. He has proven himself to be on of the most effective investigators using the tactics and techniques he now shares. “You Can Tell ME” is full of practical, “nuts and bolts” guidance for the novice and the experienced investigator alike. It’s a must read for anyone who conducts interviews.’Dennis R. Mays, retired Commander, Jackson Tennessee Police Department and he also served as the department’s legal counsel and served as a Special Agent with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. He currently serves as an expert witness on police matters for the Tennessee Municipal League and is a partner in Training Services Group, Inc.
“Director Leach ushered in an era of law enforcement reform at the Tennessee Highway Patrol Criminal Investigation Division which continues today. His ability to see what is on the horizon for law enforcement and the acumen to help set the stage through training opportunities, prepared THP/CID Agents for an ever changing law enforcement environment, and has been the hallmark of his career.”Charlie Bradley, Associate Security Representative National Football League and former TBI and THP/CID Special Agent “Finally a book that is easy to read and very practical in it’s application. If you use the concepts represented in this book, people will talk and that is the goal”
Sgt. Joe Stark, Memphis Tennessee Police Department Homicide and Instructor at M.P.D. Training Academy