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.
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
Oct 10, 2025
Oct 10, 2025
1 hr 17 min
The Two Ordinary Cops return for Part 4 of the Zac Rolfe series, diving into the tense lead-up to the Supreme Court trial and the five gruelling weeks that followed. From delayed hearings, hidden evidence, and internal charges laid just days before proceedings, to Rolfe’s decision to take the stand and the jury’s final verdict—this episode exposes the fine line between justice and agenda. It’s a raw, inside look at what really unfolded in the courtroom, how evidence was tested, and how one of the most controversial trials in Australian policing history came to a close.
Oct 10, 2025
1 hr 17 min
Oct 3, 2025
Oct 3, 2025
1 hr 15 min
In Part 3 of the Zac Rolfe series, we step into the moment everything changed—Rolfe’s arrest for murder. What followed raised difficult questions: was this an impartial investigation, or had the outcome already been decided? Rolfe recounts being directed to Darwin under the guise of “welfare,” only to face a murder charge days later, while the process itself left many wondering if justice was served fairly. From the watch house in Darwin to enforced exile in Canberra, this episode looks at the pressures, procedures, and perspectives that shaped those crucial first months. The Two Ordinary Cops believe in being impartial, so we explore these events as part of a search for the truth—one that matters not just to Zac, but to the police force and the community as a whole.
Oct 3, 2025
1 hr 15 min
Sep 26, 2025
Sep 26, 2025
59 min
In Part 2, Zac Rolfe takes us inside the events of 9 November 2019 in Yuendumu — the night that changed his life and shook policing across Australia. From the lead-up and mounting risks, to the split-second moment when a routine arrest turned into a fight for survival, Zac recounts the stabbing, the shooting, and the desperate efforts to save Kumanjayi Walker’s life. He lays bare the reality behind the headlines: respect shown, decisions made under extreme pressure, and the fallout that saw him charged with murder. This is not the media’s version — it’s the raw, unfiltered story from the man at the centre of it all.
Sep 26, 2025
59 min
Sep 19, 2025
Sep 19, 2025
1 hr 24 min
In this first part of our three-part conversation with former NT Police Constable Zac Rolfe, we go behind the headlines to hear his story in his own words. From a privileged yet restless upbringing in Canberra, through boxing rings and the battlefields of Afghanistan, Zac explains how chasing discomfort and growth shaped him long before Alice Springs. He opens up about the culture shock of policing in the Centre, the camaraderie (and gaps) in training, and the river rescue that almost killed him but earned him a Bravery Medal in just his first week on the job. This isn’t the story you think you know—it’s the raw beginnings of a man who would find himself at the centre of one of Australia’s most controversial policing cases.
Sep 19, 2025
1 hr 24 min
Sep 12, 2025
Episode 87 – Mailbag Mayhem and a Bombshell
Sep 12, 2025
Sep 12, 2025
57 min
From listener shout-outs to cartonable offences that’ll make you shake your head, Schultzy and Damo dive into the good, the bad, and the downright funny side of policing life. This one’s packed with stories from the bush, hard truths about break-ins, and a few unforgettable Q&A moments. But stick around—because right at the end, the boys drop a bombshell about a guest every cop in Australia knows. Trust us, you don’t want to miss what’s coming next.
Sep 12, 2025
57 min
Sep 5, 2025
Sep 5, 2025
1 hr 37 min
When a call comes in for a body recovery and you’re dropped into shark-infested waters, most would tap out. Luke McCulloch dove straight in — literally. In this gripping episode, Schultzy and Damo sit down with former WA cop and police diver Luke, whose 15-year career took him from the red dirt of remote mining towns to the pitch-black depths of underwater crime scenes. From recovering a suitcase with human remains, to getting buzzed by sharks mid-dive, to navigating trauma, burnout, and the quiet toll of confronting death — Luke shares it all with raw honesty and a dry sense of humour. He opens up about the dive unit’s unofficial motto “Profundus Obscurus Sordidus” (“Deep, Dark and Dirty”), how he learned to detach from horror without losing his humanity, and why writing his book became part of his healing. If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on beneath the surface — this one goes deep.
Sep 5, 2025
1 hr 37 min
Aug 29, 2025
Aug 29, 2025
1 hr 28 min
Episode 85 – Hypervigilance, Heartbreak, and Healing, Interview with Karlie Fleming dives deep into the hidden toll of frontline policing and intelligence work. Karlie shares her powerful journey from chasing her dream of joining the police, to years spent in high-risk intel roles, through the trauma that nearly broke her, and finally the breakthrough that gave her life back. From the confronting reality of child protection and counter-terrorism to the science of nervous system dysregulation and the simple tools that can save first responders from burnout, this episode is raw, real, and packed with lessons every cop, firie, ambos — and anyone who cares about them — needs to hear.
Aug 29, 2025
1 hr 28 min
Aug 22, 2025
Episode 84 – Lifeline on the Airwaves
Aug 22, 2025
Aug 22, 2025
56 min
In this episode, Schultzy and Damo dive into the lifeline of every first responder – the radio. From the gut-wrenching moments of being outnumbered on a hostile job to the sheer relief of hearing sirens racing in for backup, they unpack the power of comms and the mateship it represents. You’ll hear raw frontline stories, a shout-out to the unsung heroes in comms, and of course a cartonable moment that’ll have you laughing out loud.
Aug 22, 2025
56 min
Aug 15, 2025
Aug 15, 2025
50 min
In Episode 83 of Two Ordinary Cops, Schultzy and Damo take a step back from the front line and reflect on life after policing. From navigating the lingering effects of hypervigilance to the unexpected challenges of judging people by appearances, this episode dives deep into what it really means to switch off—or try to—when the uniform comes off.
Along the way, they share hilarious and relatable “cartonable offences” – those moments where even off duty, trouble finds you. From a Woolies encounter to surprising lessons learned in the UK, Schultzy and Damo mix sharp humour with raw honesty, giving listeners a rare glimpse into the ongoing highs, lows, and absurdities of life after policing.
It’s reflective, it’s funny, and it’s a reminder that some instincts never switch off.
Aug 15, 2025
50 min
Aug 8, 2025
Aug 8, 2025
55 min
In this episode, Schultzy and Damo dive into the often-misunderstood world of the courtroom, exploring the complicated relationship between frontline policing, public perception, and the justice system. They unpack the feedback cops cop — from both sides — and take a measured look at the way magistrates are sometimes unfairly judged by those who don’t see the full picture.
From frustrating legislative constraints to courtroom outcomes that don’t always reflect the hard work done on the street, this episode offers an honest, balanced, and at times fiery conversation about where things go right, where they go wrong, and what it’s like to be stuck in the middle.
Aug 8, 2025
55 min

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.









