Claim OwnershipPocket Sergeant Podcast
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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 Pocket Sergeant Podcast pulls no punches and gives you the insight the headlines miss.
Inspired by the app that’s helped tens of thousands of officers in policing, this podcast continues the mission: supporting those who serve.
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27 Episodes
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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...
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...
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...
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 filmingH...
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...
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 ...
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 ...
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...
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...
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. Andy shares h...
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 set up PTSD 999...
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 questions surroundi...
In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with former cop, Rebecca. She was a serving police officer when she was arrested and taken to a police cell. She subsequently spent 28 days in a psychiatric hospital. Rebecca wrote a book about her experience. This has now been turned into a play. Don’t just hear Rebecca’s story on the podcast dive deeper into her powerful journey by getting your own copy of Police to Paranoia. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Police-Paran... Book Tickets to Silent App...
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 community. The discus...
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, she reflects on h...
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 improve officer wel...
In this conversation, Matt Homan shares his journey through policing, the challenges he faced, and the impact of trauma on his mental health. He discusses the importance of humour in dealing with dark situations, the struggles of navigating personal relationships, and the consequences of domestic abuse allegations. Matt reflects on his experiences with PTSD and the support (or lack thereof) he received during his career. He emphasises the need for compassion and understanding within the polic...
In this conversation, Brendan O'Brien of Blue Light Consultancy shares his extensive journey in policing, reflecting on his motivations for joining the force, memorable experiences, and the challenges he faced with target-driven policing. He discusses the importance of community engagement and the Peelian principles, emphasising the need for authenticity in police recruitment. Brendan also reflects on his transition to civilian life and advocates for a more rigorous and human-centered recruit...
In this conversation, Jay Darkmoore, an ex-police officer, shares his journey through nearly a decade in policing. He discusses the stark contrast between his initial expectations of policing and the reality he faced, including the moral dilemmas and challenges of modern policing. Jay reflects on his motivations for joining the police, humourous anecdotes from his time on the beat, and the evolution of response policing. He also addresses the struggles faced by frontline officers, the importa...
In this episode of the Pocket Sergeant Podcast, Paul Cooper reflects on how many police officers and emergency service workers have asked him how he managed to write his book. The answer: ghostwriter Patricia Sutcliffe. Patricia not only helped Paul tell his own story but also co-wrote the powerful memoirs of former police interceptor Ben Pearson. Together, they unpack the world of ghostwriting - discussing the process, the importance of authenticity, and how to maintain a writer’s true voic...
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