Two Ordinary Cops

In Episode 131, Schultzy and Damo tackle one of the biggest questions facing modern policing: at what point does doing your job become a crime? Using the recent conviction of NSW Police Sergeant Ben Bryant as the catalyst, they explore personal responsibility, accountability, police pursuits, youth offending, sentencing, and whether the justice system is shifting responsibility away from offenders...

Before Two Ordinary Cops ever had a name, one of the titles we seriously considered was The Real Northern Territory. It only seems fitting that 130 episodes later, we finally tell that story. The Northern Territory is unlike anywhere else in Australia. It's a place of breathtaking landscapes, unforgettable characters, incredible mateship, and communities that leave a lasting mark on everyone who s...

The conversation around Australia's Special Forces has never been more relevant. After watching the powerful documentary Bravery and Betrayal, Schultzy and Damo take an honest look at the extraordinary courage of the men who served in Afghanistan, the sacrifices made by their families, and the toll that service takes long after the fighting ends. From daily combat operations and impossible decisio...

In this powerful episode, the boys sit down with Queensland policing legend Keith Banks. From working deep undercover and helping build Queensland’s early tactical policing capability, to facing some of the most confronting moments of his career, Keith shares the lessons that shaped his life both in and out of uniform. Drawing on experiences from his books and years on the frontline, Keith reflect...

In this special episode, Schultzy's partner, Miriam Leask, joins the podcast to share her firsthand account of living through the devastating Christchurch earthquakes. From the terrifying moments when the earth shook beneath her feet to the long road of recovery that followed, Miriam provides a powerful and emotional insight into one of New Zealand's darkest chapters. Miriam reflects on the incred...

This week, Schultzy and Damo reflect on their experience at the Queensland Police Union Council Conference and the incredible people they met along the way. From frontline coppers and union representatives to those who continue to serve despite significant personal challenges, this episode is a reminder of the strength, resilience and camaraderie that exists within the policing family. The boys sh...

In this special live episode, Schultzy and Damo take the stage at the Queensland Police Union Council Conference to share their experiences from policing in some of the toughest and most remote parts of Australia. The boys discuss the lasting impact of the Zach Rolfe case on Northern Territory policing, the importance of strong leadership, mateship, and looking after your people, and the challenge...

In this episode of Two Ordinary Cops, Schultzy and Damo sit down with exercise physiologist Jack Woods from to discuss the powerful connection between exercise, routine and mental health recovery for first responders. Jack shares his experience working with police, ambos and other emergency services members suffering from PTSD, depression and burnout, explaining how small achievable goals, account...

For 23 years, Lyn Kowalski worked behind the scenes in the Queensland Police Service — but as you’ll hear in this episode, the job was anything but “just admin.” From homicide investigations and child protection cases to supporting detectives through some of the darkest moments of their careers, Lyn shares the side of policing the public rarely sees. The long hours, the emotional toll, the black h...

In this episode, we come to you live from the National Suicide Prevention Conference, where we sit down with Nick White and Krista Hawke to talk about what’s really missing in the mental health space for first responders. Nick shares how Bellator Fortitudinum has grown from a small support network into a nationwide charity helping current and former first responders find connection, purpose, and s...

In this episode, we reflect on the tragic events out of Alice Springs and the loss of Kumunjayi Little Baby. We break down what actually happens during a major police investigation—from the initial response, search efforts, and escalation, through to arrest and the long road to prosecution. It’s a confronting conversation, but an important one. We talk about the balance between emotion and evidenc...

In this episode, we break down the reality behind the Northern Territory’s liquor laws—why they exist, how they differ from place to place, and what it’s actually like policing them on the ground. From permit systems and dry communities to the chaos that can unfold when alcohol floods back in, we share firsthand experiences from the job that most people would never see or fully understand. We also...

In this episode, the boys take a closer look at the high-profile arrest of Ben Roberts-Smith — and ask the question many in policing are thinking: why was it done that way? Schultzy and Damo break down the different types of arrests, including “arrest by appointment”, and explain why it’s often the safest and most practical option for cooperative individuals. They also dive into the realities of p...

This week, the Two Ordinary Cops step into one of the most talked-about and complex stories in Australia — the arrest of Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith. Drawing on their policing experience, Schultzy and Damo unpack the realities of high-risk environments, the pressures placed on those who serve, and the difficulty of judging decisions made in situations most of us will never truly und...

Leadership in policing — everyone talks about it, but what actually makes a good leader? In this episode, the Two Ordinary Cops welcome back fan favourite Andy Bedwell for one of the most thought-provoking conversations yet. While the episode starts with some reflections and real-world examples, it quickly builds into a powerful discussion about leadership, decision-making, and what’s really going...

This week, the boys sit down with one of their closest mates and one of the best leaders they ever worked under — former Detective Sergeant Andy Bedwell. From the wild days of Catherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs, Andy joins Schultzy and Damo to relive the jobs that shaped them — from homicide investigations and remote policing to the camaraderie that helped them survive some of the toughest...

What really happens when substances like kava, cannabis, and alcohol take hold in remote communities? In this episode, the boys cut through the noise and misinformation to share what they actually saw on the ground. From massive kava seizures and organised crime networks making huge profits, to the devastating impact on families and communities, this is the reality most people never hear about. Th...

In Episode 114, Schultzy and Damo sit down with retired Queensland police officer and long-time dog handler David Raymond, who spent 26 years in the dog squad after joining the QPS in 1989. From tracking offenders through the streets and scrub of North Queensland to locating missing people and saving lives, David shares what police dogs are really capable of and why they are one of the most effect...

In Episode 113, Schultzy and Damo kick things off with shout outs to members of the policing community who have reached out to the podcast, including former coppers who have sent in books, patches, and messages from across Australia and New Zealand. The boys then unpack a busy week in law enforcement across the country, discussing several recent police shootings and explaining why police are often...

What does a detective actually do? In this episode, we break down the reality behind plainclothes policing — where detectives came from, why they exist, and what it really takes to earn that gold badge. From intense training courses and major crime exercises to extradition warrants, long hours, and cases that don’t stop just because you’re exhausted — this is the work behind the badge. But it does...

In Episode 111, the boys sit down with serving Queensland Police Sergeant Jake Lacy for a genuine yarn about growing up on the Gold Coast, joining the police, and choosing the adventure of heading north before being thrown straight into the realities of bush policing in Mount Isa. From relentless jobs and limited backup to tight-knit teams and lifelong friendships, Jake explains how the bush fast-...

Every week we get asked the same question: “How do I join the police?” But the real question isn’t how — it’s why. In this episode, we break down what becoming a police officer actually demands. Not the recruitment brochure version. Not the TV drama version. The real version. We talk about: Why your motivation matters more than your fitness score The responsibility behind the badge (not the power)...

What happens when NT bush coppers and Queensland country police work the same patch of dirt? You get chaos, camaraderie, and some cracking stories. In this episode we sit down with Queensland Police officer Amit Singh, whose career has taken him from Brisbane to some of the most remote communities in the country. From solo responses on the Barkly Highway to cross-border jobs with NT Police, Amit s...

We’re back answering your questions — from joining the AFP and life in the dog squad, to why bush policing can shape you into a better cop. We share stories about working with police dogs, the reality of remote Territory jobs, and how body-worn cameras could save huge time on statements. Then we tackle the big one: does a full moon really send people wild? Let’s just say… there’s a reason cops wat...

In this episode, we’re joined by Rebecca Dale, Queensland Police veteran and Games Manager for the Australasian Police & Emergency Services Games, to talk about what the Games are really about — connection, camaraderie, and catching up with the people who just get it. From cops, ambos and fireies reconnecting years after working side-by-side, to mixed teams, unexpected friendships and plenty o...