Tall Tails and True

Roger’s back from the NT Police Muster in Moama, with old friends, shared memories and a river cruise that didn’t quite go to plan. Then we tackle the main topic: self-defence. Drawing on Roger’s policing and martial arts experience, we discuss situational awareness, confidence without overconfidence, and the limitations of a short course. From recognising danger and finding a way out to learning...

An armed hold-up in Surry Hills leads to a tense search and an unexpected discovery. Roger Mayer recalls a dangerous night that had more than a few surprises in store. We also catch up on Roger’s weekend in Wellington with Loose Leads Dog Training and look ahead to his upcoming NT Police muster. In a heartfelt moment, Roger pays tribute to young Constable Mia Lay on the day of her funeral, with th...

Why doesn’t Roger like guard dogs? Deb asks him about a comment from an earlier episode, and Roger explains his concerns for the dogs themselves, as well as what happens when constant barking or repeated alarms become easy to ignore. That leads to a new story from the revised edition of Roger’s book. In Sydney, a “Mr Big” and his crew used repeated alarms to draw security out, hide and wait until...

Roger is back from Japan with a world title (gold medal), a silver medal and plenty of stories from the trip. He shares what it was like competing at the SJJIF World Championships before we turn to a question from one of our listeners, Jeannette: what is the funniest hiding place or chase you have ever had with a dog? That question takes us back to the Dog Squad. Kancho tracks down crooks after a...

An inmate escapes from custody, a knife-wielding offender, riots in Sydney — and a police dog who paid the ultimate price. In Episode 16 of Tall Tails and True , Roger takes us through some of the more confronting incidents from his years in the NSW Police. We hear about a juvenile offender who escaped while being transported from a police station, and Roger’s pursuit and arrest with Jane by his s...

A stolen car. A smash-and-grab. A police dog named Kancho. And a pursuit that ends with Roger and Kancho taking an unexpected plunge into Blackwattle Bay. In Episode 15, Roger recounts another memorable story from his years in the NSW Police Dog Unit, tracking offenders believed to be responsible for a daring robbery at a high-end Oxford Street boutique. Before the chase, Roger answers Matt’s ques...

What happens when a police dog goes missing in the middle of a job? As it turns out, it’s happened to Roger—and he’s got some stories to tell! In this episode, Roger recalls a couple of occasions when he lost track of his own dog while out on the job, along with some stories of other handlers who found themselves in the same predicament. Because even highly trained police dogs don’t always do exac...

Even experienced dog handlers get it wrong sometimes. In this episode, Roger looks back at some of the less-than-brilliant things he’s done over the years—including the time he was called out on a job… and left his dog at home! But there’s plenty of serious dog work too. Roger shares some incredible tracking stories and explains what actually happens when a police dog is called to a crime scene. H...

Roger reflects on an unexpected chapter outside policing—his introduction to traditional samurai sword training and the discipline it demanded, a pursuit he would take up years into his police career. The focus then turns to the beginning of his long-awaited journey into the NSW Police Dog Unit. Roger shares the demanding selection process, the disappointment of several dogs that weren’t the right...

After returning from the Northern Territory, Roger was posted to Campbelltown, where policing took on a very different pace. He reflects on a brief stint in the detectives—a role that ultimately wasn’t the right fit. While working there, he applied for the NSW Police Dog Unit, setting in motion the next chapter of his career. Away from the job, life was changing just as quickly. His first daughter...

This episode opens with a heartfelt tribute to Roger’s friend and colleague, Mark “Ocko” Martin, whose passing during a family holiday in Bali has been deeply felt. Roger, Ocko and fellow Dog Squad officer Tony Irons served together for 25 years, and at the time were the longest-serving members of the NSW Police Dog Squad—a remarkable legacy of friendship, loyalty and service. Roger also shares th...

Some stories are requested by listeners. Others are too good not to tell. In Episode 9 of Tall Tails & True, Roger answers audience questions about the notorious tow truck scams of the late 1970s and 1980s and shares his knowledge of dog training, drawing on decades of hands-on experience. The conversation then turns to one of the Territory's most intriguing characters—Jacky Willy. Who was he, and...

Roger reflects on a range of seafaring deployments across the Northern Territory, where policing extended far beyond land. From responding to a tense situation aboard a tanker to carrying out prawn trawler inspections and other maritime duties, each call brought its own challenges in isolation, authority and control at sea. The episode also follows Roger’s move to Alice Springs, where he was immed...

Roger recalls the pursuit of Archie J—a case that moved across islands, townships, and remote communities in the Northern Territory. What began as a straightforward capture quickly escalated into a repeated cycle of escape and response, stretching police resources across vast and difficult terrain. In this episode, Roger reflects on the persistence required in remote policing, where containment is...

Roger recalls a series of encounters tied to the phenomenon known locally as Gulka Man—unsettling moments that sit outside the usual framework of policing. Not an investigation in the traditional sense, but repeated experiences shared across time and place, where explanation was never straightforward. In the isolation of the Northern Territory, these encounters leave more questions than answers, s...

Two callouts, two very different fronts of policing in the Northern Territory. Roger recalls being called to a Taiwanese fishing vessel where a violent onboard incident left a man with a severed hand, and authorities scrambling to control a chaotic, high-risk situation at sea. Back on land, another incident carries its own warning—this time involving a man who had been feeding a crocodile, only to...

Training is one thing - real policing is another. In Episode 4, Roger takes us into his first posting in the remote Northern Territory town of Nhulunbuy, a place that quickly tested everything he though he knew about work, isolation and life in the Top End. Fresh out of the academy, he describes the reality of arriving in a community cut off by distance and defined by its environment - where routi...

In this opening episode, Roger Mayer shares a glimpse into his early life, setting the scene for a policing career that would span nearly 35 years across the Northern Territory and New South Wales. This is where it all begins. ​ Episode 1 of Tall Tails & True takes it right back to the beginning — Roger’s childhood, family life, growing up in Australia, and the moments that helped shape the ma...

Long before policing, discipline was built on the mats. Roger dives into his martial arts training - and how those lessons shaped his mindset, resilience and approach to conflict long before he joined the force. Episode 2 of Tall Tails & True dives into Roger’s martial arts journey — from karate and judo through to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, earning a Judo black belt and a BJJ brown belt along the w...

A big move and even bigger leap. Roger leaves Canberra behind and heads to Darwin to join the Northern Territory Police. He shares what it was like stepping into a completely different world - and the reality of training in the Top End. Episode 3 of Tall Tails & True follows Roger Mayer through the NT Police recruitment process and his acceptance into the Northern Territory Police and begins t...

🎙️ Coming Soon… From martial arts mats to remote Australia, police investigations to unexplained encounters, this is a journey through a life less ordinary. We’re excited to share the official teaser for Tall Tails & True . Join us as we uncover the stories behind the stories—some funny, some fascinating, and some that still defy explanation. Follow now so you don’t miss Episode 1. #TallTailsA...