Paranormal Cops - Q&A: Pete Schlelich

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What first got you interested in the paranormal?

I was interested in the possibility of something else being out there and then having the ability to collect proof that something else exists. I wanted to gather some type of proof that is beyond all reasonable doubt. As the skeptic, it will take a lot to convince me and to a certain degree I guess I want to see if I can be proven wrong.

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

We apply the same skills to the paranormal investigations as we do to crime scenes. First and foremost, we secure the area. Only the people involved with the investigation are allowed in and all the doors are sealed with evidence tape to ensure no one else enters. Should something extraordinary occur, (i.e. something appears to have been thrown, all the lights go on) I then proceed to collect all evidence I can and analyze the scene. Still photos are taken and when we've collected all the evidence, the lights go out and we continue on. Logic and factual data take precedence over emotions and feelings.

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

We investigated a women's college and that was the first place out of all of the investigations that creeped me out. The things we saw and caught on tape I have not been able to explain. However as I always say, just because I can't explain something, doesn't mean that it can't be explained.

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

Well, since I am the skeptic, we are still working on that. So, when I figure it out I will be sure to pass it along. Until then I still need to be convinced.

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

Aside from the great people I work with, the fact that there is the possibility that we may be able to some day prove beyond all reasonable doubt that something else does exist and help people in the process.

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

Everyone I have talked to from a patrolman all the way up to my Chief have all been extremely supportive and are all very eager to see the show. That doesn't mean that I don't get my fair amount of teasing, but if you aren't being teased then you aren't really liked, so I welcome it all.

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

To me this is a very loaded question. I am not sure that I truly have a strong opinion on this one way or another. There are times that I think we move on in some fashion resembling reincarnation and then there are other times that I think there is nothing and your life on this earth is the one shot you get. I can say though that I do not believe in a heaven or hell but for right now I am still trying to sort that out for myself.

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

I am not sure that this even occurs. Again, remember I am the skeptic and so I am trying to see if anything even exists first, then we can move on to figuring out the communication aspect. We will have to wait and see.

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

I hope people see that we take this very seriously. That is not to say that we don't have a good time while we go on these investigations, but all the policies and procedures that we follow are virtually the same ones we follow in our police careers. I hope they see all the steps we take to ensure that the data and evidence we collect is unquestionable and therefore should we collect definitive evidence on an investigation, there will be no doubt as to whether or not it is accurate.

I would really like for our show to allow people to see paranormal investigations through the eyes of a detective. By doing this, I hope to raise the bar and set higher standards throughout the paranormal investigation field as to how paranormal investigations are conducted. If we as a group can provide guidance for better investigations resulting in better evidence collected, I think that would benefit the field of paranormal investigating overall.