Two Ordinary Cops
The two ordinary cops are former Northern Territory Police Officers Remote Sergeant Ben Schultz and Detective Sergeant Damien Barbe. With over 25 years experience Ben and Damo share stories from their time in the job. Follow along through the laughter, anger and tears that come with the rigours of Policing Australia’s last frontier.
Episodes
4 hours ago
4 hours ago
In this episode of Two Ordinary Cops, Schultzy and Damo dive into the complex relationship between police and the courts, unpacking the differences between police bail and court bail. They share real-life stories from the frontline, including what it’s like to be a police prosecutor and the challenges of keeping offenders in custody. With plenty of laughs along the way, they also revisit last week’s discussion on police recruiting standards, responding to some of the feedback they received. It’s an eye-opening chat about law enforcement, the judiciary, and the realities of policing.
Friday Mar 21, 2025
Episode 62 - Unfit for Duty? The Recruitment Debate
Friday Mar 21, 2025
Friday Mar 21, 2025
In Episode 62 of Two Ordinary Cops, Damo and Schultzy dive into a critical issue raised by a recruit— the alarming drop in police recruitment standards. As passionate advocates for frontline services and community safety, they discuss how this decline threatens the integrity of policing, endangers officers, and puts the public at risk. With firsthand experience and blunt honesty, they explore why these lowered standards cannot continue and the disastrous consequences that could follow if they do.
Friday Mar 14, 2025
Episode 61 - Cyclone Alfred
Friday Mar 14, 2025
Friday Mar 14, 2025
In Episode 61 of the Two Ordinary Cops podcast, Cyclone Alfred, Schultzy and Damo recount their experiences during the landfall of Cyclone Alfred, sharing what unfolded in their respective areas. They discuss the challenges they faced, including some humorous moments, and highlight the dangers of driving through flooded waters. The duo also reflect on their own experiences navigating flooded rivers after conducting risk assessments. To wrap up, they give a couple of well-deserved shout-outs.
Friday Mar 07, 2025
Episode 60 - Policing Standards, Cyclone Chaos & A Bit of Controversy
Friday Mar 07, 2025
Friday Mar 07, 2025
In this episode, Schultzie and Damo chat about their weekend catch-up with police mates, give a shout-out to a listener joining Queensland Police, and dive into the controversy around lowering the standards to join the force—sharing some strong opinions on the risks it brings. They also discuss Cyclone Alfred, the chaos of panic buying, and the challenges Brisbane might face as the storm approaches. Tune in for laughs, insights, and the usual Two Ordinary Cops banter!
Friday Feb 28, 2025
Episode 59 - Cops Under Fire: The Wild World of Police Complaints
Friday Feb 28, 2025
Friday Feb 28, 2025
In this episode, Schultzy and Damo, the Two Ordinary Cops, dive into the world of complaints against police. While some are incredibly serious, others, in hindsight, are downright hilarious. They break down how the complaint process works, the reasons people make complaints—ranging from genuine grievances to desperate attempts to dodge prosecution—and the often surprising outcomes. From shocking allegations to bizarre grievances, this episode is an eye-opening and entertaining look at what happens when the public takes issue with the police.
Friday Feb 21, 2025
Episode 58 - Flipping Through the Past: The Power of a Cop’s Notebook
Friday Feb 21, 2025
Friday Feb 21, 2025
In this episode of Two Ordinary Cops, Damo and Schultzy kick off with some well-deserved shout-outs before taking a trip down memory lane, flipping through Damo’s old notebooks and diaries. As they relive past cases, they highlight why good note-taking is a must for any cop—whether it’s for court evidence, recalling key details, or building a solid career in law enforcement.
Friday Feb 14, 2025
Episode 57 - From Bystander to Badge: When Cops Can’t Walk Away
Friday Feb 14, 2025
Friday Feb 14, 2025
Ever had to call yourself on duty? The Two Ordinary Cops have – and they've got the stories to prove it. From breaking up a fight to dealing with a heated domestic and even facing down an armed offender, they share real moments when they had no choice but to step in. But it’s not just about taking action—it's about doing it smartly. They stress the importance of assessing the risks before jumping in, because being a cop 24/7 doesn’t mean throwing caution to the wind. Tune in for the adrenaline, the lessons, and a few laughs along the way.
Friday Feb 07, 2025
Episode 56 - Who’s Really in Charge During a Natural Disaster
Friday Feb 07, 2025
Friday Feb 07, 2025
In this episode, Damo and Schultzy dive into the world of emergency management—what it is, how it works, and why politicians often have little to no say when natural disasters strike. They pull back the curtain on who’s actually running the show when chaos hits and share some of their own experiences from the front lines. Plus, there’s a shoutout to the legends they still know up in the Northern Territory.
Friday Jan 31, 2025
Episode 55 - The Realities of Leadership – Building a Motivated Team
Friday Jan 31, 2025
Friday Jan 31, 2025
What does it take to create a team that’s motivated, enthusiastic, and ready to get the job done? In this episode, Damo and Schultzy break down the challenges and rewards of leadership—how to inspire your team, keep them engaged, and tackle the tough conversations that come with the role.
Being a great leader isn’t always easy. Sometimes, it means making mistakes, learning from them, and having difficult but necessary conversations. The Two Ordinary Cops share their real-world experiences on what works, what doesn’t, and how to build a strong, motivated team that gets results.
If you’re leading a team—or want to—this is an episode you won’t want to miss! 🎧
Friday Jan 24, 2025
Episode 54 - Complacency, Air Wing, and Fishy Pursuits
Friday Jan 24, 2025
Friday Jan 24, 2025
In this episode, Schultzy and Damo dive into the topic of complacency in policing—how it creeps into the job, its impact on outcomes, and the lessons they've learned along the way. They share their personal journeys, reflecting on times when they went from being vigilant to complacent and then back to being sharp and focused. Of course, there are plenty of shoutouts, including a special one to the Police Air Wing. And don't miss the story about the barramundi in the police cage during a pursuit—because, as always, you can count on a few wild tales!

Two Ordinary Cops
Ben Schultz and Damien Barbe joined the Northern Territory Police on the 26th of February 2007 and quickly became best mates. They progressed through the college together, graduated later that year and both moved to Katherine to start their policing career. Throughout their time in the police they both worked in many different fields including general duties, investigations, bush policing, running of stations and troops as well as prosecutions.
Their friendship and ability to communicate with people gave them not just their own knowledge, but what other police and the community experienced when it came to policing. Join them now as they not only pass on their experience, but that of many other police officers who have worn the uniform to protect and serve.