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 days ago
4 days ago
In this powerful episode, we sit down with former paratrooper and NSW police officer Nick White. From high-risk military service to frontline policing in some of the toughest parts of Sydney, Nick opens up about the trauma that nearly broke him — including the heartbreaking moment he tried to save a one-week-old baby.
Diagnosed with PTSD after years of cumulative trauma, Nick speaks candidly about his decline, the turning point, and how EMDR therapy helped him begin to rebuild. But he didn’t stop there.
Now the founder of Bellator Fortitudinem, a nationwide peer support network for first responders, Nick is on a mission to change the way we support those who run towards danger while everyone else runs away. This episode covers everything from frontline mental health, the cracks in the system, funding challenges, and the app he’s building to save lives before it's too late.
If you're in the job, been in the job, or care about someone who is — this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
Friday Jun 20, 2025
Friday Jun 20, 2025
The Two Ordinary Cops sit down with Ben Hosking — a former frontline cop turned tactical operator — for one of our rawest chats yet. Thrown into chaos straight out of the academy, Hosko faced riots, a taser mishap, and the harsh reality of policing in Tennant Creek. Years later, he was forced to shoot an armed offender. From high-risk incidents to elite policing and the lasting mental toll, this is a story that hits hard and stays with you.
Friday Jun 13, 2025
Episode 74 – “Pepper Spray, Protesters and the Porn Channel Surprise”
Friday Jun 13, 2025
Friday Jun 13, 2025
In Episode 74, the Two Ordinary Cops cover everything from snow in Hernani to sex dungeons in Kununurra. Damo and Schultzy reflect on the Northern Territory's move to legalise capsicum spray for civilians—and debate whether it’s empowering the public or arming the crooks. They also tackle the hot-button issue of deaths in custody, offering a frontline insight into investigative transparency that rarely makes the headlines. And if that wasn’t enough, they share their wildest search warrant story yet—complete with drug busts, gay porn on the telly, and a house full of adult toys. It's raw, unfiltered, and exactly what you'd expect when the boys start digging through the evidence drawer of humanity.
Friday Jun 06, 2025
Episode 73 – The Bobby Principle: Why Respect for Police Rises—and Falls:
Friday Jun 06, 2025
Friday Jun 06, 2025
In this episode of Two Ordinary Cops, Damo and Schultzy dive into the complex topic of public respect for police — where it comes from, how it can be lost in a heartbeat, and what it really takes to earn it back. From crowd control at footy games to walking the beat in remote communities, they explore the idea of "The Bobby Principle” — that being visible, present and genuinely engaged with your community is what earns lasting respect. They also chat about frontline fatigue, shout out a few old mates still on the tools, and reflect on how over-policing at events can help... or hurt. It's a candid, thoughtful look at policing through the eyes of those who’ve lived it.
Friday May 30, 2025
Episode 72 – Overseas Recruits, Overtime & the Price of a Carton
Friday May 30, 2025
Friday May 30, 2025
In Episode 72 – Overseas Recruits, Overtime & the Price of a Carton, the Two Ordinary Cops dive into the real cost of life in the blue. From breaking down how junior cops can crack six figures (if they're willing to sacrifice sleep), to the unofficial rules of “cartonable offences” and kangaroo courts, Damo and Schultzy mix laughs with hard truths. They also answer questions from a would-be recruit and give a shoutout to UK coppers considering the move Down Under—reminding us that when the lights go on and the job kicks off, it doesn’t matter where you’re from. You’re part of the team.
Friday May 23, 2025
Episode 71 – Boot Camps, Broken Systems, and Blokes Like Mickey
Friday May 23, 2025
Friday May 23, 2025
In this episode of Two Ordinary Cops, Damo and Schultzy dive deep into the tough conversations — from viral post turtle banter to the devastating reality behind police suicide and youth crime in the Territory.
Damo reflects on the tragic loss of his mate, Mickey D — a true legend of the Northern Territory Police — and what made him so special. They unpack what worked in the past for youth justice, the decline of community authority, and whether boot camps could actually help, or if some kids are just too far gone.
It’s raw, honest, and full of insight from two coppers who’ve seen it all — from ironed uniforms to iron wills tested.
If you care about policing, community, and doing better — this one’s worth a listen.
Friday May 16, 2025
Episode 70 – From Connie to Commander: Inside the Police Rank Structure.
Friday May 16, 2025
Friday May 16, 2025
In Episode 70 of Two Ordinary Cops, Damo and Schultzy break down the police rank structure from the ground up – starting with the everyday duties of a constable all the way to the strategic decisions made at commissioner level. They reflect on their own journeys, share experiences of leading in remote stations, and dive into what it really takes to earn (or sometimes fail at) promotion. With honest banter, practical insight, and a few laughs, they explore the challenges of leadership, the difference between acting and substantive ranks, and why some officers are better suited to certain roles than others. Whether you're in the job or just curious about how police command works, this episode offers a raw and relatable look inside the structure that holds it all together.
Friday May 09, 2025
Friday May 09, 2025
In this powerful episode of Two Ordinary Cops, Damo and Schultzy sit down with Queensland paramedic Peter Vinnicombe to explore the deep and lasting impact of frontline trauma. Peter shares his 17-year journey as a single officer paramedic in rural Queensland, culminating in a violent incident that changed his life and career forever. They discuss PTSD, moral injury, the loss of identity that comes with leaving the job, and the glaring gaps in support for first responders. A raw, honest, and important conversation that shines a light on the emotional cost of serving the community.
Friday May 02, 2025
Episode 68 - The Rotten Few
Friday May 02, 2025
Friday May 02, 2025
In Episode 68 of Two Ordinary Cops, Damo and Schultzy don’t hold back as they call out the worst of the worst—cops who broke the law and were rightly arrested and jailed by their own colleagues. From stealing drugs out of seizures to the unforgivable crime of child abuse, they shine a light on those who tarnish the badge. The episode also dives into the Northern Territory Government’s outrageous initial proposal for the police consent agreement, and the reality of working alongside colleagues they didn’t exactly see eye to eye with.
Friday Apr 25, 2025
Episode 67 – The Truth About Cops, Corruption & Integrity
Friday Apr 25, 2025
Friday Apr 25, 2025
This week, Damo and Schutzy aren’t holding back. They’re diving headfirst into one of the most talked-about—and misunderstood—topics in policing: corruption. Sure, the past has its skeletons, but today’s police are under more scrutiny than ever before. The boys break down the myths, get real about integrity, and share what it’s really like working in one of the most heavily watched professions in the country. Honest, raw, and full of classic Two Ordinary Cops banter—you won’t want to miss this one.

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.