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TRIGGER WARNING: This Podcast deals with terminal illness and trauma some listeners may find it distressing and listener discretion is advised. If you are struggling with your mental health do contact your welfare officer, GP or a MH Charity. The Curtis Palmer Program is a charity set to help serving and retired police officers get back to a better place after suffering physical or mental injuries...

In this episode we will be looking at firearms officers, the training they receive, firearms incidents and the post incident procedure following a fatal shooting. We are joined by Darren Ware. Former soldier and police firearms officer and now a post incident manager with Lancashire Constabulary. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.

In this episode we will be looking at the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner or PCC. Brought in to replace the old police authorities and make Chief Constables more accountable. But has it worked? We will be looking at this and providing our opinions. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.

In this episode we look at the subject of police pursuits and how they could infringe the offences of careless and dangerous driving. There is currently no exemption in law to these offences and no account is taken of police driver training and the higher standards they drive to. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.

In this episode Dave Thomas speaks with the then CEO of the college of policing Mike Cunningham. Recorded a while back just prior to his retirement, Mike is in reflective mood as he looks back on his career. In this week's NightJack piece, Richard Horton reflects on unexpected good news from the front line and how police uniform has changed beyond recognition over three decades. The Thin Blue Line...

Jackie Malton was a no-nonsense girl from Leicestershire who joined the police force in the 1970s when women were kept apart from the men. Feisty and determined, Jackie worked in CID and the famous flying squad before rising to become one of only three female detective chief inspectors in the Metropolitan Police. In The Real Prime Suspect , Malton describes the struggles she faced as a gay woman i...

In this episode we will be looking at the recently published HMICFRS report looking at the police’s poor  response to serious acquisitive crime. We will be taking apart it’s findings and debating why everything can’t be a priority. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.

In this episode we will be looking at whether UK police should be routinely armed. There are cultural issues, cost implications and training abstractions to consider amongst many other factors.  Dave Thomas, in his first monologue looks at why we as police officers wear emotional masks at work and why that is not good for us. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading...

In this episode we will be looking at the offence of rape and it’s very low conviction rate in the UK courts.  The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.

Mike Barton grew up on a Lancashire farm which gave him a good grounding in resilience. He joined Lancashire Constabulary in 1980 and quickly rose those the ranks becoming the Chief Constable of Durham.  He is now retired and through austerity steered the organisation into the best performing police force in the country. His views on drugs have caused controversy. In this candid interview he talks...

In this episode we will be looking at trial by jury and whether the process, which is over a thousand years old and enshrined in the magna carta, is fit for the 21st century.  Richard Horton continues his Night Jack blog and discusses the role of the police and crime commissioner. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.

In this episode we will be looking at the circumstances surrounding the Mets recent downfall into special measures and with other forces in the same position we look at how it came to this and why it’s just more than austerity. Steve Bradshaw continues his Acting Inspector blog and discusses what makes a good TV detective. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading pol...

In this episode we will be looking at the Police right to strike. It is a topic that divides many officers but one thing is for sure.  After a decade of austerity and wage cuts, the British Bobby has had a belly full of cuts and under investment. Richard Horton continues his Night Jack blog and discusses the Airwaves police radio project.  The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV...

In this episode we will be looking at Police recruitment and the bewildering various routes a potential applicant can follow. We will also be looking at how this impacts on retention and Steve Bradshaw gets quite passionate about the academic entry routes and how it is breaking student officers.  We have also included a section of a previous interview with Mike Cunningham, the then CEO of the coll...

In this episode we will be looking at the Race Action Plan. A collaboration between the college of policing and the National Police Chiefs Council together with various representatives of the Black and minority communities. It attempts to address the disparities suffered by the black and minority communities in their engagement with the police. We will be looking at the plan and discussing its mer...

In this episode we will be looking at the police tactic of stop and search and it’s disproportionate use against the black community. We will also be looking at what constitutes reasonable grounds and the previous College of Policing guidelines adopted by some but not all police forces. We attempted to make contact with the college of Policing for comment but unfortunately they have not replied. ...

In this episode we will be looking at the impact of social and mainstream media has on police forces and individual officers. It can affect morale and the perception the public have for their police.  We will also be looking at the way the police use social media between it’s officers and the damaging impact it has had in recent events.  Finally Danny Shaw, former BBC home corespondent and now a c...

Steve Bradshaw is a recently retired Police Inspector. He has spent the majority of his policing career as a firearms officer before being promoted up the ranks where he became a Force Incident Manager, taking command of high risk critical incidents such as vehicle pursuits, firearms and major threats to the public. But he also led another life as a budding actor and now retired, is free to fully...

Richard Horton began his career with a short spell in accountancy before joining the police. Serving in the east side of Lancashire he performed several duties before becoming a Detective, a role he dedicated himself to for more than twenty years. Moving back into uniform towards the end of his career he was a response Sergeant overseeing a team of young and eager police officers. But that isn’t t...

Welcome to what is a first for A Mindful Life. This podcast is a concept if you like, a working idea of something I have wanted to do for sometime. If successful it may become a commercial project, another first. Retired police officers Steve Bradshaw and Richard Horton, together with myself have collaborated to produce a show about current policing issues and topics.  We would very much appreciat...

Desiderata by Max Ehrmann Max Ehrmann(1872-1945) was a scholar and poet, born in Terre Haute, Indiana on September 16, 1872. He was the youngest of five children of German immigrants. He graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana in 1894, and then studied law and philosophy at Harvard University. After 10 years in the business world, Ehrmann retired so he could devote all his time to...

Alfie Moore was a police officer for twenty years before deciding that his path lay in stand up comedy. Using the skills that he gained on the street, he learnt how to “work the room” and became increasingly successful. Now playing to sell out theatres up and down the country and having his own radio series on BBC Radio 4, it’s fair to say he has become an established entertainer. In this podcast,...

Karen Davies was a cabaret performer who later became a police officer. However, years of working in the high pressure environment eventually took its toil and Karen left the service in 2015. It is a story that I could have  written myself since it has many similarities to my own decent into mental anguish and trauma.  Thankfully, Karen has now found her solace in the beautiful mountains of South...

Dimpsey Dusk by Eily Nash Eily Nash is an English author with 18 books of poetry and story telling under her belt. Firmly connected to Mother Earth through her pagan beliefs, she weaves stories of magic and love. She has very kindly given me permission to read one of her short stories entitled Dimpsey Dusk. A delightful tale of forests, elves and fairies 🧚‍♀️ You can find her books here on her we...

Rudyard Kipling has written several stories that have gone on to become famous. The Jungle Book, Kim and The Man who would be King to name a few. He was also responsible for some notable poems, perhaps his best known and philosophical entitled “If.” It is a marvellous poem which basically enthuses care and compassion of others and not to take yourself too seriously. The poem is now in the copyrigh...