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 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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📲 Download the Pocket Sergeant app: www.pocketsergeant.co.uk
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📕 Buy From Trauma To Triumph: https://amzn.eu/d/4NqE8jq
📧 Get in touch / suggest a guest: support@pocketsergeant.co.uk
Episodes
31 episodes
A Family Left Behind: The Reality of Professional Standards Investigations | Michelle Websdale
In this episode of the Pocket Sergeant Podcast, I speak with Michelle Websdale about the life and death of her former partner, Ben — a police custody sergeant who served for 24 years.Michelle shares who Ben was as a man, a father and a ...
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1:10:32
The Side of Policing No One Talks About | Ryan MacDonald
In this episode of the Pocket Sergeant Podcast, I’m joined by Ryan MacDonald — former police officer, military veteran, author of Blue Lights, Dark Mind, and a powerful voice on trauma and recovery after service.Ryan served for nearly 3...
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1:27:43
Colin Sutton: How Britain’s Most Dangerous Serial Killers Were Caught
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,...
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1:24:11
The Job That DESTROYED Me | Former Detective Darren Ryan
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 prot...
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1:49:05
What REALLY Happens When Someone Goes Missing in Water - Peter Faulding
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 investi...
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2:24:01
The Cases They BURIED: Police Failure & Cover-Ups | Maggie Oliver
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 openl...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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1:33:40
This Is Why Police Are AFRAID to Act | Ex-Traffic Cop, Ian Cook Tells the Truth
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...
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Season 2
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1:00:03
Police Federation Monopoly EXPOSED: Why Officers Are Demanding Change S2 Ep2
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 a...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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48:15
The Female Police Officer | Pocket Sergeant Podcast S2Ep1
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 m...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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57:04
Ben Dimmock | Why Wellbeing Matters: Building a Better Future for Police Officers | Pocket Sergeant Podcast Ep 22
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 ...
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Episode 22
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58:52
BONUS EPISODE | Ian Cook | Code Zero & The PSD U-Turn at North Yorkshire Police | Pocket Sergeant Podcast Ep 21
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 emerge...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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55:21
Claire Lilly | The Forcer Protocol: Turning Tragedy into Change | Pocket Sergeant Podcast Ep 20
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 A...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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59:21
Hannah Bailey | Talking Trauma and Transformation | Pocket Sergeant Podcast Ep19
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 hea...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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1:10:09
Catherine Davey | From the Beat to Channel 4’s The Inheritance | Pocket Sergeant Podcast Ep 18
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 t...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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59:55
Ian Cook | North Yorkshire Police Graduation Fallout | Lessons in Leadership and Culture | Pocket Sergeant Podcast Ep17
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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50:49
Andy Chapman | Coping with Trauma & Mental Health in Policing | Pocket Sergeant Podcast Ep16
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 123In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Andy to ex...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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1:24:06
Gary Hayes | Sent to the Temporary Mortuary | 7/7 Bombings | PTSD 999 Charity Ep15
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 123In this episode, we sit down with Gary Hayes, a former...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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1:25:11
Mike Neville | Rise of Super Recognisers | Future of Crime-Solving | Pocket Sergeant Podcast Ep14
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 recognitio...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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58:14
Rebecca House | From Police Officer to Mental Health Advocate | Pocket Sergeant Podcast Ep 13
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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1:10:02
Lee Broadbent | Why Police Officers Need Their Own Trade Union | Pocket Sergeant Podcast Ep 12
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 offic...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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45:52
Emma Louise | Policing, Trauma, and the Need for Change | Pocket Sergeant Podcast Ep 11
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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1:00:29
Paul Cooper with Laura Loy | Supporting Police Officers in Crisis | Pocket Sergeant Podcast Ep 10
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 investi...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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33:01
Matt Homan | Former Police Officer, Arrested, Battling PTSD and the Lack of Support | Pocket Sergeant Podcast Ep 09
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 per...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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1:20:57
Brendan O'Brien | The Crisis in Policing and Recruitment | Pocket Sergeant Podcast Ep 08
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 di...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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1:14:39
Jay Darkmoore | Domestic Violence, Arrest, and Mental Health | Pocket Sergeant Podcast Ep 07
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 dilemm...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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1:08:54