Two Ordinary Cops

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...

After missing their first deadline in 105 episodes — thanks to a 250kg heifer flattening Damo’s wife — the Two Ordinary Cops are back on the mic. In this episode, Schultzy and Damo dive deep into one of the most fundamental — yet often underestimated — parts of policing: taking a proper statement. Sparked by Schultzy reviewing a poorly constructed statement in the Lockie Jones investigation, the b...

After a disrupted start to the year, Schultzy and Damo reunite to reset and kick off 2026. This episode is driven by listener feedback following recent powerful episodes, particularly the stories shared by Kath and Susie. The boys reflect on why those conversations mattered, how they humanised policing, and the impact they’ve had across Australia and New Zealand. They also share honest reflections...

In this episode, Schultzy flies solo while Damo takes some time out for family, and he dives into something deeply important. A huge thank you goes to Melanie Reid and Bonnie Sumner, whose powerful work on The Boy in the Water series helped bring this case, and its serious concerns, into the light and kept it in the public conversation. While visiting New Zealand, Schultzy travelled to Gore to wal...

In this shorter-than-usual Boxing Day catch-up, the Two Ordinary Cops jump on quickly to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe New Year. With family time taking priority over the holidays—and Schultzy heading over to New Zealand to spend time with loved ones—recording time has been tight, so this one is brief but heartfelt. Schultzy also shares that his NZ trip isn’t just about family; he’ll...

This week is another heavy one. In the wake of the Bondi tragedy, we pause to pay our respects to the victims and their families, and to acknowledge the first responders and everyday civilians who ran toward danger when most people were rightly running away. We don’t pretend to have all the facts — that’s what investigations and coronial processes are for — but we do talk through what these moment...

In this deeply personal episode, Brett’s wife, Senior Constable Susan Forte, shares what it’s like to hear your husband’s final moments over the police radio and live through the week that followed. From the frantic drive to the scene, to sitting in the paddock as she’s told Brett is gone, to a funeral watched by thousands in blue, Susan opens a raw window into grief, love, and the reality that ev...

In Part Three of our In Remembrance of Brett Forte series, Cath Nielsen takes us inside the coronial inquest and the fight for truth that followed Brett’s death. Cath reveals what happens when you challenge the accepted narrative from inside the job — how asking questions can lead to isolation, retaliation, and personal attacks. She outlines the missed intelligence, cultural issues, and leadership...

In Part Two of our In Remembrance of Brett Forte series, Cath Nielsen takes us through the immediate aftermath of the ambush — the shock, the confusion, and the heavy days that followed Brett’s death. Cath shares what it was like going home in the early hours still covered in Brett’s blood, breaking the news to her family, and feeling the weight of a community grieving beside her. She talks about...

In this deeply personal and emotional first instalment of our In Remembrance of Brett Forte series, we sit down with Queensland police officer Cath Nielsen, the partner who sat beside Brett in the Tactical Crime Squad vehicle on 29 May 2017 — the day he was ambushed and killed. For the first time on the podcast, Cath takes us inside the moments leading up to the shooting, the sudden explosion of a...

Part 2 of our first-ever live show gets raw, real, and bloody funny. The crowd jumps in with questions—some from people looking to join the job—sparking honest advice not just from us, but from the current serving cops in the room. We cover it all: mental-health jobs that can turn in a heartbeat, the art of leadership on the frontline, and lessons from decades in blue. Add in a few wild stories—a...

Our first-ever live show! We’re at the Gold Coast Tavern with a rowdy crowd, reunited with our recruit-college “Mum” Di Gallo, swapping pink-slip memories, OC “party pack” war stories, the infamous Christmas domestic, and the legendary “red button” mishap. Plus, Todd jumps up for pursuit and stinger tales, and we launch the Cartonable Offence on the bar. Real cops, real laughs, real yarns—Part 1 s...