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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📧 Get in touch / suggest a guest: support@pocketsergeant.co.uk
Pocket Sergeant Podcast
The Side of Policing No One Talks About | Ryan MacDonald
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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 30 years across policing and the military, including counter-terrorism, intelligence, custody, leadership roles, and operational tours overseas. But this conversation isn’t about rank or war stories.
It’s about what happens when the uniform comes off.
🎙️ In this episode, we talk openly about:
The cumulative trauma of policing
PTSD and intrusive thoughts
Why officers struggle to ask for help
The moment everything nearly collapsed
How policing culture deals with mental health
Life after service, recovery, and rebuilding
This is an honest, raw, and important conversation about the realities of policing that are rarely spoken about publicly.
If you’re serving, have served, or support someone who does — this episode will resonate.
Ryan's Book: Blue Lights Dark Mind
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