Two Ordinary Cops

In Episode 131, Schultzy and Damo tackle one of the biggest questions facing modern policing: at what point does doing your job become a crime?
Using the recent conviction of NSW Police Sergeant Ben Bryant as the catalyst, they explore personal responsibility, accountability, police pursuits, youth offending, sentencing, and whether the justice system is shifting responsibility away from offenders and onto the very people tasked with protecting the community.
The conversation also revisits a Northern Territory tradition with a look back at Cracker Night, discussing freedom, risk, and where personal responsibility should begin and end. Along the way, the boys share stories from their own policing careers, debate the role of the courts, and ask whether current policies are giving frontline officers the confidence to do the job the public expects of them.
To finish on a positive note, the inaugural Extra Sauce on the Burger Award is presented to a deserving police officer who has gone above and beyond for both his community and his colleagues.
As always, this episode is built on the boys' own experiences and opinions, with the aim of encouraging respectful discussion around policing, justice, leadership and community safety.

Before Two Ordinary Cops ever had a name, one of the titles we seriously considered was The Real Northern Territory. It only seems fitting that 130 episodes later, we finally tell that story.
The Northern Territory is unlike anywhere else in Australia. It's a place of breathtaking landscapes, unforgettable characters, incredible mateship, and communities that leave a lasting mark on everyone who spends time there. But it's also a place that has faced its share of challenges, many of which rarely make the headlines with the full story behind them.
In this episode, Schultzy and Damo take you on a journey from Darwin to Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and some of the Territory's most remote communities. They share the places they loved, the people they'll never forget, the humour that got them through the toughest days, and the realities of living and policing in Australia's last frontier.
This isn't a policing episode—it's a conversation about a place that shaped who they are. Whether you've lived in the Territory, visited once, or have always wondered what life is really like beyond the headlines, this episode offers an honest, heartfelt and often hilarious look at one of Australia's most unique places.
If you've ever wanted to know what the real Northern Territory is all about, this is the episode for you.

The conversation around Australia's Special Forces has never been more relevant.
After watching the powerful documentary Bravery and Betrayal, Schultzy and Damo take an honest look at the extraordinary courage of the men who served in Afghanistan, the sacrifices made by their families, and the toll that service takes long after the fighting ends.
From daily combat operations and impossible decisions to the loyalty between mates, military working dogs, and the support of families back home, this episode explores what it truly means to serve at the highest level.
The boys also discuss the importance of fair investigations, leadership under pressure, and why those who put themselves in harm's way deserve both accountability and unwavering support when the facts are established.
This isn't about politics. It isn't about personalities. It's about recognising those who answered Australia's call, understanding the realities of modern warfare, and asking difficult questions about loyalty, leadership, sacrifice and justice.
Whether you've worn the uniform, know someone who has, or simply want to understand the human stories behind the headlines, this is an episode that will challenge your thinking—and one you won't forget.

In this powerful episode, the boys sit down with Queensland policing legend Keith Banks. From working deep undercover and helping build Queensland’s early tactical policing capability, to facing some of the most confronting moments of his career, Keith shares the lessons that shaped his life both in and out of uniform.
Drawing on experiences from his books and years on the frontline, Keith reflects on the loss of fellow officer Peter Kidd, the impact of PTSD, alcohol abuse, organisational trauma, and the remarkable MLC siege negotiation that remains one of the proudest moments of his career.
The conversation also explores the changing face of police leadership, the importance of looking after your people, and the lasting impact that both good and bad leadership can have on those serving on the frontline.
More than just policing stories, this is an honest conversation about courage, leadership, resilience, and the hidden toll that policing can take on those who serve.

In this special episode, Schultzy's partner, Miriam Leask, joins the podcast to share her firsthand account of living through the devastating Christchurch earthquakes. From the terrifying moments when the earth shook beneath her feet to the long road of recovery that followed, Miriam provides a powerful and emotional insight into one of New Zealand's darkest chapters.
Miriam reflects on the incredible support provided by police, emergency services, military personnel, and disaster response teams from across Australia and New Zealand, offering a heartfelt thank you to those who helped Christchurch when it needed it most.
The conversation then shifts to a different perspective on policing—the view from the partner of a former police officer. Miriam shares what she's observed over the past nine years with Schultzy, including the lasting effects of the job, hypervigilance, life after policing, and a few stories that prove you can take the cop out of the police force, but you can't always take the police force out of the cop.
A thoughtful, emotional, and at times hilarious episode about resilience, recovery, service, and the people who stand beside those who wear the badge.
 

This week, Schultzy and Damo reflect on their experience at the Queensland Police Union Council Conference and the incredible people they met along the way. From frontline coppers and union representatives to those who continue to serve despite significant personal challenges, this episode is a reminder of the strength, resilience and camaraderie that exists within the policing family.
The boys share stories from behind the scenes of the conference, discuss why police from every corner of Australia instantly connect through shared experience, and give a well-deserved shout-out to the outstanding men and women who dedicate themselves to looking after others. They also highlight the importance of police welfare, mental health support, and the positive impact initiatives like Cop Care are having on serving and retired members.
Along the way, there are plenty of laughs, a tribute to those we've lost, recognition of officers doing it tough with remarkable outlooks on life, and one of the best Cartonable Offences we've heard in a long time involving OC spray and a very unfortunate place to carry it.
A heartfelt episode about mateship, resilience, and why the blue family remains one of the strongest communities you'll ever be part of.
🎙️ Listen now: https://benschultz.podbean.com
#TwoOrdinaryCops #QueenslandPoliceUnion #BlueFamily #PoliceLife #FirstResponders #MentalHealthMatters #CopCare #PoliceCommunity #PolicingAustralia #QueenslandPolice #AnswerTheCall #TwoOrdinaryCopsPodcast

In this special live episode, Schultzy and Damo take the stage at the Queensland Police Union Council Conference to share their experiences from policing in some of the toughest and most remote parts of Australia.
The boys discuss the lasting impact of the Zach Rolfe case on Northern Territory policing, the importance of strong leadership, mateship, and looking after your people, and the challenges many officers face both during and after their careers. They also explore life after the badge, the realities of PTSD, and why finding your tribe is so important once you leave the job.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Two Ordinary Cops episode without a few laughs along the way, with plenty of wild Northern Territory stories, policing mishaps, and the sort of humour only cops can truly appreciate.
This is an honest, raw, and often funny conversation about policing, resilience, camaraderie, and why first responders need to keep talking about the things that matter.
🎧 Listen now: https://benschultz.podbean.com
#TwoOrdinaryCops #QueenslandPoliceUnion #QPUC #PolicePodcast #FirstResponders #PTSDAwareness #PoliceLife #Leadership #Mateship #LifeAfterPolicing #BeTheGreaseNotTheSand #AustralianPolicing

In this episode of Two Ordinary Cops, Schultzy and Damo sit down with exercise physiologist Jack Woods from to discuss the powerful connection between exercise, routine and mental health recovery for first responders.
Jack shares his experience working with police, ambos and other emergency services members suffering from PTSD, depression and burnout, explaining how small achievable goals, accountability and physical activity can genuinely help rewire the brain and rebuild lives.
The boys also talk openly about the struggles many first responders face when asking for help, the importance of camaraderie after the job, and why organisations like Bellator are filling a critical gap in mental health support across Australia.
There’s still plenty of laughs along the way, including Damo’s inability to remember Jack’s name and discussions about sinking instead of swimming, while also touching on the realities of life after the job and why staying connected matters.
The episode also includes an exciting announcement about Two Ordinary Cops being invited to speak at the Queensland Police Union Conference next week.
A genuine, honest and important conversation about PTSD, resilience, fitness, mateship and looking after your own.

For 23 years, Lyn Kowalski worked behind the scenes in the Queensland Police Service — but as you’ll hear in this episode, the job was anything but “just admin.”
From homicide investigations and child protection cases to supporting detectives through some of the darkest moments of their careers, Lyn shares the side of policing the public rarely sees. The long hours, the emotional toll, the black humour that keeps people going, and the incredible bond formed behind closed station doors.
This episode is raw, funny, emotional and brutally honest at times. Lyn opens up about transcribing murder investigations, working alongside CIB and CPIU detectives, supporting officers after tragedy, and the unseen role admin staff play in keeping policing running every single day.
You’ll laugh at stories of taser demonstrations gone wrong, detectives getting barricaded into offices until briefs were finished, and the chaos of life inside a busy police station — but you’ll also gain a whole new appreciation for the people who quietly carry the weight behind the badge.
A powerful reminder that policing is never done alone.

In this episode, we come to you live from the National Suicide Prevention Conference, where we sit down with Nick White and Krista Hawke to talk about what’s really missing in the mental health space for first responders.
Nick shares how Bellator Fortitudinum has grown from a small support network into a nationwide charity helping current and former first responders find connection, purpose, and support after the job. From lived experience to life-saving impact, this is raw, honest insight into what actually works.
Krista brings nearly three decades of experience as a psychologist working with first responders, breaking down the reality of PTSD, moral injury, and why so many traditional support systems miss the mark. Together, we unpack the importance of peer support, early intervention, and why understanding the job is critical to helping those who’ve lived it.
This is a powerful conversation about identity, transition, and the importance of looking after those who’ve spent their careers looking after everyone else.