Joe Power, a psychic, has worked with several police forces in the UK on challenging cases. When asked if he’s assisted the police in murder investigations, he answers confidently, “Absolutely.”
Do psychics serve as tools in police investigations?
When the Metropolitan and Merseyside police forces were asked about Joe, their replies were vague.
Merseyside stated they couldn’t confirm or deny actions based on his information. A spokesperson from the London Metropolitan Police said, “We value information from anyone who thinks they can help. We are unaware of any investigations that progressed solely based on a psychic’s input.”
The Controversial Partnership between Police and Psychics
Case of Joe Power and the Metropolitan Police
BBC journalists spoke to several psychics and later reached out to various police units. Most responses were evasive. Still, it’s clear that some officers have acted on guidance from people claiming paranormal abilities.
It was discovered that the Dyfed Powys police spent around US$30,000 on a murder investigation based on details from a psychic. This Welsh police force faced criticism for using public funds on such investigations.
Joe Power claims the Metropolitan Police approached him for help in a high-profile murder case. He says, “I got a message from the police asking for my assistance. I provided insights from the victim and the beyond. I believe they acted on my information.”
Initially, the Metropolitan Police denied Joe’s involvement in the case. The BBC obtained an email, which Joe claims was sent by an involved officer to his partner. In it, the officer asks, “Can Joe or the victim provide clues to narrow our search area? And about the culprit’s vehicle: is it a car or a bicycle? Can the victim provide more details about the events at 2:10?”
When the police were questioned again about Joe Power’s involvement, the Metropolitan Police released a statement from a senior investigator: “We do not disclose who may communicate with us regarding inquiries. We won’t comment further.”
Former Scotland Yard Member and Expert Debate
Can Psychics Assist in Official Investigations?
Keith Charles, a former Scotland Yard member and now a psychic, says he’s not surprised by such reactions. He states, “Many officers are skeptical. Some psychics make false claims. But in the end, what matters is if the information helps the case.”
Dr. Ciaran O’Keeffe from the University of Derby, who studied psychics for ten years, argues there’s no scientific evidence that psychic detectives provide valuable information. He suggests, “Psychics should refrain from giving information to the police.” According to O’Keeffe, this diverts funds and resources away from legitimate investigations.
It’s not only British police that avoid the paranormal topic. In 2007, it was revealed the Ministry of Defence spent about US$30,000 testing if psychic abilities could detect hidden items.
The US military also explored this with Project Stargate, examining if “remote viewing” could be used militarily. Some believe the US authorities used this method to search for Osama Bin Laden.
Angela McGhee and the Controversy
Do Psychics Play a Role in UK Investigations?
Angela McGhee provided details for an ongoing murder investigation. West Midlands Police confirmed to the BBC they interviewed Angela McGhee, just as they would with anyone offering crime details. However, she provided no new evidence.
Angela disputes this, saying, “They told me I was giving information only someone involved would know, offering forensic details.”
Though UK police forces neither confirm nor deny using psychics in major investigations, it’s hard to gauge how frequent this is.
Joe Power believes that he and others will continue to play a role in solving crimes. He says, “I foresee that in coming decades, people like me will locate bodies. The psychic realm is rapidly evolving, and the accuracy of the information is continually improving.”
This article was re-edited from its original source on BBC Mundo
