Paranormal Cops - Q&A: Austin Weinstock

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What first got you interested in the paranormal?

My interest in the paranormal began in Oct. of 2000 when I experienced what I now believe to be a paranormal encounter. This encounter left me with countless interrogatories. In fact, I was facing an experience that demanded me to question my understanding and beliefs of what we interpret to be the afterlife.

How do you use the skills you learned as a cop to solve paranormal cases?

Whether it is interview or interrogation techniques or securing the scene of an investigation, we take our day-to-day experience and knowledge and apply it to our paranormal investigations. A major difference in a paranormal investigation compared to a criminal investigation is when we are dealing with a criminal and we are face to face, we are able to read body language. When dealing with a possible paranormal encounter, we are left to interpret what is being felt and or displayed through evidence capturing techniques such as EMF detectors and/or Digital Audio Recorders.

What is the most interesting or disturbing case you've ever encountered?

Any investigation which yields evidence is both interesting and disturbing; interesting in the sense that we are being shown evidence that things are not always as we have believed them to be and disturbing in the sense there are still more unanswered questions. Every investigation is unique in nature and therefore it is difficult to single out one particular investigation. I would have to say however, that my own personal experience in 2000 has not been repeated since.

How would you convince a skeptic that what you deal with is the real thing?

I have no desire to "convince" someone to believe something. In my opinion, evidence speaks for itself. After viewing evidence captured during an investigation, one must decide whether they feel as though they may personally accept and understand what they have seen and heard. As a Police Officer, I simply present and interpret the facts to make a determination to the best of my ability what is probable and reasonable in order separate fact from fiction.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job with the CPD?

Helping others is what we have chosen as our primary profession. Having the ability to stand up for those who are unable to stand up for themselves has always been a priority in my life. Being an investigator with CPD, I have an opportunity to help in a different manner. Our complainants are asking us to alleviate a problematic situation in where an "offender" is not on the same playing field as we are. I find it challenging and rewarding when we are presented with a difficult case and are able to offer closure.

What do your fellow cops think about your night job as a paranormal investigator?

The relationship between fellow officers is something only another officer can understand. Having said this, those who are open believers in the paranormal are 100% supportive in our investigations. Those who are concealed believers are 90% supportive in front of others and 150% supportive when talking one on one.

What is your personal opinion about what it's like on the other side?

At this time, I would have to say that my opinions vary from investigation to investigation. I have seen evidence that pulls me in many directions. However, I am dedicated to capture enough evidence to establish my own personal belief without question.

Why do you think some spirits need to communicate with the living?

It is my belief that sometimes it is as simple as a story to be told, a memory to be remembered, a message to be conveyed, or just a presence to be known. Unfortunately, we are discussing a field which has little facts and many opinions. We are simply facing the unknown.

What do you hope viewers will take away from Paranormal Cops?

As police officers, our careers are based upon our integrity and credibility. We hope that the viewers of our show will know that what they see is real, un-tampered, and factual evidence which will in turn raise the level of awareness and possibilities of what may be out there beyond our vision and hearing. There is something beyond what we currently know. It is begging us to discover it. Where will you be when you learn that communication with the other side is not only possible but easily attainable? The Chicago Paranormal Detectives / Paranormal Cops WILL set a new standard for paranormal investigations.