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PODCAST

Pocket Sergeant Podcast

Hosted by former police officer and award-winning app creator Paul Cooper, this podcast explores the untold realities of frontline policing in the UK.Each episode features honest conversations with current and former officers, legal professionals, experts, and those with lived experience – covering everything from policing culture and mental health to groundbreaking innovation and criminal justice reform.Whether you’re a serving officer, aspiring recruit, or simply curious about life in uniform, the

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All Episodes

84:11

Colin Sutton: How Britain’s Most Dangerous Serial...

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2026/03/16

In this episode of the Pocket Sergeant Podcast, Paul Cooper is joined by Colin Sutton — one of the UK’s most respected former Senior Investigating Officers. Colin led some of Britain’s most complex and high-profile murder investigations, including the case that finally brought Levi Bellfield to justice — without relying on forensic evidence. This is a deep, intelligent conversation about how real murder investigations are solved, the mistakes people make when relying on checklists, and why ...

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109:05

The Job That DESTROYED Me | Former Detective Darren Ryan

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2026/03/09

Former Detective Darren Ryan joins the Pocket Sergeant Podcast to reveal the psychological cost of investigating some of the most serious crimes in policing. For years, Darren worked high-risk safeguarding and exploitation cases. He protected vulnerable victims and carried the responsibility that comes with child protection investigations. But repeated exposure to trauma doesn’t just disappear when the shift ends. In this episode, Darren speaks openly about: • The cumulative impact of inv...

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144:01

What REALLY Happens When Someone Goes Missing in...

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2026/03/02

Peter Faulding is one of the UK’s most experienced search and rescue specialists — and in this episode of the Pocket Sergeant Podcast, he speaks openly about what really happens when people go missing in water. From serial killer investigations to high-profile missing person cases, Peter explains: Why bodies are often missed during police searchesHow sonar actually works (and why it’s misunderstood)What officers and investigators should be doing differentlyThe reality behind river, lake, a...

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93:40

The Cases They BURIED: Police Failure & Cover-Ups |...

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2026/02/23

In this powerful episode of the Pocket Sergeant Podcast, Paul Cooper is joined by former detective and whistleblower Maggie Oliver to examine some of the most serious institutional failures in modern British policing. Maggie speaks openly about investigations that were halted, warnings that were ignored, and leadership decisions that prioritised reputation over accountability. Drawing on her frontline experience and subsequent whistleblowing, she explains how internal culture, fear of scruti...

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60:03

This Is Why Police Are AFRAID to Act | Ex-Traffic...

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2026/02/16

In this episode of the Pocket Sergeant Podcast, I’m joined by Ian Cook, former Traffic Officer and co-founder of Code Zero, for a brutally honest conversation about modern policing. We break down: The AI intelligence failure that embarrassed West Midlands PoliceWhether Chief Constables and politicians are being held accountableWhy e-bike and illegal bike crime is spiralling out of controlThe reality of tactical contact — and why officers fear being supportedHow inconsistent policy and PSD pre...

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48:15

Police Federation Monopoly EXPOSED: Why Officers Are...

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2026/02/09

In this episode of the Pocket Sergeant Podcast, Paul Cooper is joined once again by Lee Broadbent, one of the founders of the National Police Association (NPA), to discuss why police representation in England and Wales is at a critical breaking point. Lee explains how the Breaking the Monopoly campaign evolved into the launch of the National Police Association — a new organisation challenging the Police Federation’s long-standing closed-shop model and calling for choice, competition, and acco...

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57:04

The Female Police Officer | Pocket Sergeant Podcast...

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2026/02/03

One sentence turned a routine policing moment into one of the most viral clips in policing history. In this episode of the Pocket Sergeant Podcast, we sit down with the female police officer behind the viral “He? Excuse me?” moment — a clip that’s racked up hundreds of millions of views worldwide, sparked endless memes, and divided opinion across social media. But who is the person behind the beanie and the meme? 🎙️ In this conversation, we talk about: What really happened during the

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58:52

Ben Dimmock | Why Wellbeing Matters: Building a...

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2025/11/16

In this episode of the Pocket Sergeant podcast, Ben Dimmock shares his extensive journey in policing, highlighting the importance of mental health and wellbeing within the police force. He discusses his personal experiences with depression and how they shaped his passion for supporting colleagues. The conversation delves into the role of wellbeing teams, peer supporters, and welfare support officers, as well as the challenges faced by officers in managing trauma and workload. Ben emphasises t...

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55:21

BONUS EPISODE | Ian Cook | Code Zero & The PSD U-Turn...

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2025/11/12

Ian Cook from Blue Light Lifestyle returns for another powerful discussion. We kick things off with an update on Code Zero, the brand-new mobile app Ian is developing alongside Ben Pearson, designed to support those working in the emergency services. We then get into the latest controversy involving North Yorkshire Police, where nine graduate officers were referred to the Professional Standards Department over alleged uniform breaches during their graduation ceremony. We unpack the Chief Co...

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59:21

Claire Lilly | The Forcer Protocol: Turning Tragedy...

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2025/11/09

In this episode of the Pocket Sergeant podcast, Claire Lilly shares the poignant story of her late husband, Alan Forcer, a war veteran whose struggles with mental health and addiction led to tragic consequences. Claire discusses the impact of Alan's experiences during his military service, the challenges they faced as a couple, and the development of the Forcer Protocol, a new policing strategy aimed at improving the response to veterans in crisis. Through her advocacy, Claire aims to create ...

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70:22

Hannah Bailey | Talking Trauma and Transformation |...

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2025/11/02

In this conversation, Hannah Bailey shares her journey from a police officer to a wellbeing coach, discussing the challenges of facing trauma, undiagnosed PTSD, and the impact of her cancer diagnosis. She emphasizes the importance of mental health support in policing, the concept of moral injury, and her mission to help others navigate their struggles. Hannah also highlights the need for systemic changes in policing to better support officers' mental health and wellbeing. Find out more about ...

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59:55

Catherine Davey | From the Beat to Channel 4’s The...

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2025/10/26

In this episode, Catherine Davey — star of Channel 4’s The Inheritance — shares her journey from joining the police at a young age to her experiences on the front line, the challenges she faced due to injury, and her transition to life after policing. She reflects on her time in the force, memorable stories, and the impact of her reality TV experience on her perspective of trust and alliances. Catherine also discusses her aspirations for the future and the lessons learned from her uniqu...

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50:23

Ian Cook | North Yorkshire Police Graduation Fallout...

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2025/10/19

In this conversation, we highlight the challenges of communication and leadership within police culture, especially in light of recent incidents such as the North Yorkshire Police graduation controversy. We also disucss the ongoing efforts to improve mental health and wellbeing in policing, particularly through the proposed development of a new app, Code Zero. The discussion emphasises the need for better support systems, open dialogue, and a shift in culture to foster trust and confide...

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84:48

Andy Chapman | Coping with Trauma & Mental Health in...

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2025/10/12

Send us a text TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️ This episode discusses suicide and associated trauma. If you have been affected by anything in this episode, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123 In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Andy to explore the profound impact of trauma and mental health challenges faced by police officers. Through personal stories and expert insights, we shed light on the emotional toll of the job and the importance of mental health support within law enforcement...

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85:52

Gary Hayes | Sent to the Temporary Mortuary | 7/7...

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2025/10/05

Send us a text TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️ This episode discusses suicide and associated trauma. If you have been affected by anything in these podcasts, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123 In this episode, we sit down with Gary Hayes, a former British Transport Police Officer, to hear his honest and moving story of living through trauma and finding a way forward. Gary talks about his time on the front line, including the aftermath of the 7/7 bombings, and how those experiences led him to ...

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57:48

Mike Neville | Rise of Super Recognisers | Future of...

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2025/09/28

Send us a text Join us for a fascinating conversation with Mike Neville, a pioneer in forensic investigation and the mastermind behind the world’s first super recogniser unit. Discover how Mike’s groundbreaking approach to human-based facial recognition has transformed policing, helping to solve high-profile cases such as the 2011 London riots and the Novichok poisoning. We explore the extraordinary abilities of super recognisers, their collaboration with AI technology, and the ethical ques...

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69:37

Rebecca House | From Police Officer to Mental Health...

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2025/09/21

Send us a text In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Andy to explore the profound impact of trauma and mental health challenges faced by police officers. Through personal stories and expert insights, we shed light on the emotional toll of the job and the importance of mental health support within law enforcement. Andy shares his experiences navigating these challenges and offers perspective on the steps being taken to foster resilience and well-being in the force. Don’t just hear Rebe...

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45:27

Lee Broadbent | Why Police Officers Need Their Own...

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2025/09/14

Send us a text In this conversation, Paul Cooper and Lee Broadbent discuss the critical differences between the Police Federation and trade unions, the implications of union membership for police officers, and the ongoing legal challenge to allow police officers to form their own unions. Lee shares his experiences with the Federation, highlighting its failures and the need for change. They also touch on the importance of funding for the legal challenge and the support from the policing commun...

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60:04

Emma Louise | Policing, Trauma, and the Need for...

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2025/09/07

Send us a text In this episode of the Pocket Sergeant podcast, Emma Louise shares her journey from aspiring police officer to leaving the job for her mental health. She discusses her early fascination with policing, the reality of working as a detective, and the overwhelming pressure that led to her decision to prioritise her well-being. Emma highlights the lack of support for officers dealing with trauma and the need for cultural change within policing. Now working in business management, sh...

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32:35

Paul Cooper with Laura Loy | Supporting Police...

Pocket Sergeant Podcast ·

2025/08/31

Send us a text In this conversation, Laura Loy and Paul Cooper discuss the pressing issues surrounding police welfare, particularly focusing on the mental health impacts of professional standards investigations. They explore the inconsistencies in how investigations are conducted, the psychological toll on officers, and the need for a more supportive and accountable system. The discussion emphasises the importance of caring leadership within police forces and the necessity for reforms to impr...

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29 results

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