Izzy Right Tho

summary

In this episode, Blake shares his journey from a tough childhood in Logan, through various careers including firefighting and policing, to the profound experiences and challenges faced in law enforcement. He discusses the realities of police work, mental health, and the importance of support systems. In this episode, we delve into the profound experiences of police officers dealing with trauma, mental health challenges, and the importance of community support. Our guest shares personal stories, insights on organizational shortcomings, and innovative ideas to foster mental well-being among first responders.

keywords

policing, law enforcement, mental health, first responder, police stories, trauma, community policing, police training, emergency response, police career police mental health, trauma, support systems, community, policing challenges, mental health awareness, first responders, organizational support, self-care, stigma reduction

key topics

Blake's childhood in Logan and early sports interests

Pathway into firefighting and police careers

First experiences and challenges in police academy

Memorable and traumatic police jobs

Impact of police work on mental health and well-being

Importance of support systems and peer support in policing Police trauma and mental health challenges

Organizational shortcomings and lack of support

Innovative community support initiatives

The impact of trauma on personal and professional life

The importance of vulnerability and open conversations

The role of social media in mental health awareness

Strategies for early intervention and prevention

The need for systemic change in police support services

takeaways

Police work exposes officers to traumatic events that impact mental health.

Support systems and peer networks are crucial for police resilience.

Real-world policing involves a wide range of unpredictable and intense situations.

Training and experience are vital, but emotional preparedness is equally important.

Policing has evolved, with increased focus on mental health and community engagement. Police officers often hide their struggles due to stigma and organizational culture.

Support systems are frequently inadequate, leading to isolation and worsening mental health.

Community-driven initiatives and open conversations can foster healing and resilience.

Early intervention and tailored mental health treatments are crucial for first responders.

Organizational change is needed to prioritize mental health and reduce stigma.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Blake's background

00:02 Introduction to police mental health challenges

01:56 Growing up in Logan and early sports interests

02:25 Personal stories of trauma and emotional impact

05:08 Path to firefighting and transition to police

10:12 First experiences in police academy and initial jobs

10:42 Organizational shortcomings and lack of support

15:54 Innovative ideas for community support and awareness

19:54 Memorable police jobs and traumatic incidents

20:23 The importance of vulnerability and open dialogue

25:07 Strategies for early intervention and systemic change

30:04 Conclusion and call to action

39:58 Impact of police work on mental health

01:00:01 Support systems and the need for mental health resources

01:19:59 Reflections on policing and societal changes

In this episode, Lauren shares her experiences and insights on police recruitment, retention, and systemic issues within the Queensland Police Service, highlighting the need for reform and proactive strategies.

sound bites

"Where is my tax money going?"

"Policing is one of the most honorable careers."

"The language used here is not acceptable."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and guest background

00:26 Lauren's resignation and reasons behind it

02:23 Understanding police funding and international recruitment

04:17 Diversity in police intake and international officers' experiences

06:46 Incentives for international officers to join Queensland Police

08:41 The role of frontline and detective work in policing

09:08 Recognition and acknowledgment of international officers' skills

11:31 Recruitment issues and declining numbers in Queensland Police

12:28 The pattern of leaving and systemic barriers

15:38 Lauren's resignation story and decision process

17:42 Addressing sexual offences and hostel safety

23:00 Patterns in sexual offences and hostel safety concerns

28:38 Operation Light Compass and proactive initiatives

32:56 Barriers to career progression and tenure issues

40:07 The importance of organizational change and retention

45:45 Policing culture, language, and systemic issues

01:01:16 International policing practices and domestic violence approaches

01:11:00 Support systems, mental health, and post-retirement challenges

01:22:32 The need for systemic reform and community trust

01:29:14 Closing remarks and call for change

In this episode, we delve into the critical issues facing police training, risk management, and the integrity of law enforcement. Our guests share insights on firearm training deficiencies, the impact of legislation on domestic violence cases, and the importance of integrity and transparency in policing. In this episode, Izzy hosts a candid conversation with Brad and others about police work, mental health, legislation, and societal issues. They explore real stories, challenges faced by officers, and the need for systemic change to improve community safety and officer wellbeing.

00:00Introduction to the episode and guest overview

00:05Introduction and episode overview

01:58Firearm training gaps and real-world application

02:26Real stories of domestic violence and coercive control

03:25Combat stress and pressure training in police

04:45Improving firearm skills through dry drills and stimulus training

09:05Frequency of shooting practice for police competency

10:11Challenges with domestic violence legislation and false reports

13:34Long gun qualification and qualification challenges

16:03Risk management in police work and organizational focus

20:08Juvenile crime, detention, and recidivism

23:33Fitness standards and physical readiness in policing

30:35Systemic issues in police promotion and career progression

33:23Corruption, integrity, and accountability in police ranks

40:20Mental health, burnout, and injury management in policing

45:20Statistics manipulation and domestic violence reporting

50:13Community safety, active response, and training gaps

59:21Legislation and its impact on domestic violence cases

01:00:16Legislative flaws, judicial decisions, and accountability

01:07:23Personal experiences with domestic violence and police response

01:10:12The importance of physical fitness and officer readiness

01:15:09Conclusion and key takeaways from the discussion

01:20:05Reflections on police work, public perception, and future challenges

In this episode, Chris McIntyre shares his journey from a young kid in Melbourne to a police officer and psychologist, highlighting the mental health challenges faced by first responders and the importance of understanding trauma, PTSD, and self-care. In this episode, we explore mental health, physical well-being, and the importance of holistic care for emergency responders and the general public. The discussion covers topics like sleep, diet, social media impact, and effective treatment options.

00:00Introduction and Chris McIntyre's background

01:57Chris's childhood, upbringing, and early interests

04:08Path to police career and first experiences in policing

08:00Transition from police to psychology and further education

12:06First responder trauma and the impact of critical incidents

19:56Dealing with death, family support, and emotional challenges

30:12Signs of trauma, burnout, and the importance of self-care

40:03Understanding the freeze response and its effects

50:00Support systems, debriefs, and mental health resources

01:00:04Working with veterans and managing PTSD and substance misuse

01:10:00The importance of cultural competence in psychological support

01:19:55Advice for young police officers and first responders

01:30:11Closing thoughts and key takeaways for mental health awareness

In this episode, Jimmy Christiansen shares his remarkable journey from army veteran to stunt coordinator and cruise ship trainer. He discusses the lessons learned from military service, the importance of brotherhood, and how these experiences shape his approach to leadership and life. In this episode, Jimmy shares his extensive experience in stunt work, military background, and lessons learned from high-pressure situations. He discusses the importance of mindset, trust, and preparation in both his military and stunt careers, offering valuable insights for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

00:00Introduction and guest background

01:51Jimmy’s childhood in New Zealand and move to Australia

02:21Transition from military to stunt industry

04:09Growing up surfing and playing rugby

05:05The importance of mindset and preparation

06:01School life, grades, and early lessons in finance

08:01Joining the army and initial training experiences

10:10Safety, trust, and team dynamics

11:59The bonds forged in military training and brotherhood

15:00Military roles: artillery, recon, and leadership lessons

15:35High-pressure decision making and injuries

20:04Transition from army to cruise ship industry

20:41Epic film stunt stories with Hollywood actors

25:08Experiences on cruise ships and the culture of travel

25:35Qualifications versus competence in stunt work

30:06Becoming a fitness instructor and setting up training programs

30:32Mental toughness and resilience

34:50The move into stunt work and training in the film industry

35:20Advice for ex-military transitioning to civilian careers

40:09The impact of stress, burnout, and mental health awareness

40:39Closing thoughts and key lessons

45:03The role of discipline and focus in high-stakes environments

49:57Reflections on life, regrets, and purpose

01:00:02Jimmy’s current projects and future plans

Izzy speaks with Terry Orchard, a retired Queensland police officer with 36 and a half years of service, about the winding path from a childhood in London to a long career across general duties, CIB, drug squad work, covert operations, and witness protection. Terry also shares how a career that was intense, high-pressure, and often chaotic eventually led him into a very different life as a wedding celebrant.This episode covers policing history, undercover work, major drug investigations, burnout, marriage breakdowns, recovery, and the surprisingly fitting second career Terry built after retirement.

00:00 - Introducing Terry Orchard and his 36.5-year policing career
03:56 - Childhood in London, Hampstead, and family background
04:56 - School struggles, reading difficulties, and bad influences
06:10 - Sport at school and finding basketball
08:20 - First jobs and unknowingly growing cannabis in a greenhouse
11:53 - Father’s sudden death and the move to Australia
14:51 - Emigrating to Australia and settling in Sydney, then Brisbane
19:32 - Job hunting with no qualifications and landing at David Jones
23:07 - Deciding policing was the next career move
24:05 - TAFE courses, reapplying, and finally getting into the police
30:17 - Academy life at Oxley and the discipline of the 1980s
36:56 - First major pursuits, including the Channel Seven helicopter job
41:07 - Early trainee duties and the courthouse/morgue work
44:55 - The Story Bridge suicide callout and its impact
49:42 - City CIB, Fortitude Valley, and street prostitution enforcement
56:31 - Reforming Valley CIB after Fitzgerald
58:58 - Australia’s Most Wanted and Terry on television
61:21 - Moving into the drug squad and choosing specialization
64:14 - ILIT, clandestine labs, and the awkward acronym problem
68:30 - Doggett Street and Operation Chinook
72:18 - Emerald raid day and the RSL drumming disaster
81:59 - Burnout, drinking, and marriage collapse
88:24 - Joining the National Crime Authority
93:35 - Becoming the undercover operator in Yapoon
95:05 - Holding the line when a rifle is pointed at him
99:30 - Cover, trust, and the reality of undercover drug work
101:28 - Pollen testing cannabis to confirm its origin
102:56 - Getting $100,000 for a sting and the reserve bank run
104:48 - The takedown and the radio failure at the critical moment
107:13 - Returning to uniform

n this episode, Brad Grieve shares his journey from a childhood in Sydney to a career in police service, highlighting key lessons learned along the way. He discusses the realities of police work, leadership, and the importance of procedural accuracy in high-stakes situations. In this episode, Brad shares his profound experiences dealing with trauma, police procedures, and the mental health challenges faced by officers after critical incidents. His insights shed light on the emotional toll of police work and the need for better support systems.

Brad Grieve's early life and career path

The importance of procedural accuracy in policing

Leadership and team building in police work

Experiences with trauma and high-stakes situations

Training and skill development in firearms and tactics

Community engagement and police culture

Lessons learned from major events like G20 Police trauma and mental health

Critical incident response and procedures

Support systems for officers after traumatic events

Impact of investigations and coronial processes on officers

The importance of peer support and debriefing in policing

takeaways

Procedural accuracy can be the difference between success and failure in police operations

Strong leadership and team morale are crucial in high-pressure situations

Training should be continuous and realistic to prepare officers for real-world challenges

Understanding community dynamics enhances police effectiveness

Personal growth often comes from challenging and traumatic experiences Traumatic police incidents have lasting emotional effects that are often unspoken.

Support systems like peer presence and buddy systems can make a difference.

The process of investigation and coronial hearings can be retraumatizing for officers.

Policing culture often discourages discussing mental health struggles.

Proactive career planning and support are vital for officer well-being.

00:00 Introduction and Brad Gree's background

02:09 Early life and career choices

04:56 Joining the police force and initial experiences

09:58 Training, skills, and leadership development

20:11 Major events and operational challenges

29:48 Trauma, decision-making, and procedural lessons

40:06 Reflections on police culture and community

50:09 Key takeaways and advice for officers

54:29 - Support from senior officers and ambulance response

57:31 - Separation, debrief process, and waiting for interviews

62:25 - Going home after the incident and the physical exhaustion

66:10 - No immediate trauma, but lingering questions and a coronial process

74:41 - Coroner’s hearing two years later and giving evidence in court 78:09 - Reading the 26 page coronial findings report

81:04 - Why Brad questioned the need to attend the job in the first place 84:32 - How he thinks police should support officers after critical incidents

87:03 - Staying in general duties for his whole career

92:29 - Why progression was so hard for competent general duties officers

97:46 - Another confronting job near the end of service

100:05 - No pension or gold card style support after leaving QPS

100:32 - Security, close protection, Uber, and landing in grounds work 102:18 - From employment to property maintenance

Mal Logue brings 40 years of military experience, 15 years in policing, and a blunt firsthand view of what happens when frontline service meets bureaucracy, bad policy, and constant scrutiny. This episode covers his path from Adelaide to the army, deployments in Somalia and beyond, his move into Queensland Police, and the burnout that came from trauma, understaffing, and boxed-in decision-making.We also discuss his COVID vaccine mandate fight, the human rights court case that followed, and why he believes support systems inside policing often fail the very people they claim to protect.

(00:05) - The introduction and why Mal Logue was brought in(01:20) - Growing up in Adelaide and choosing the army at 17

(02:09) - Leaving the military, moving to Brisbane, and joining QPS

(03:50) - What Mal was like at school and why he hated it

(04:33) - Why he loved infantry life, fitness, and military work

(05:17) - Training at Kapooka and watching his son follow the same path

(06:58) - Deployments to Somalia, East Timor, and other exchanges

(08:06) - Somalia: first contact, command stress, and live rounds(10:10) - Military trauma versus policing trauma

(12:22) - Getting help, drinking, rage, and why support mattered

(14:21) - How army rank progression and promotion actually work

(17:00) - Reserve service, police academy life, and juggling family

(21:07) - Why he joined QPS and hated the academy

(23:02) - OST, fighting, taser training, and what academy skills missed

(25:24) - Why he thinks police training standards are too low

(27:57) - Spike strip training, union complaints, and being kicked out

(31:25) - Caboolture policing, team culture, and proactive patrol work

(34:48) - A typical shift, briefings, and how crews were deployed

(36:15) - DV, mental health, and the strain of modern policing

(37:33) - Resources, budgets, and why police are asked to do more with less

(39:04) - Burnout, rosters, and RBTs as stats-driven policing

(43:25) - How DV jobs evolved into paperwork-heavy cover your ass policing

(48:44) - Why he says decision-making has been replaced by fear

(51:01) - False DV allegations, family court, and the damage to officers

(55:38) - Why he believes DV policy is unbalanced and politically driven

(57:23) - Male suicides, false allegations, and what he sees in the data

(59:57) - How DV work consumes policing resources and shift time

(61:58) - A Christmas DV breach that left him sickened

(66:16) - A funny Redcliffe patrol story and classic dark humour

(68:26) - Dealing with tragic scenes without letting them destroy you

(69:24) - The lack of mental health support in QPS

(72:29) - Being stood down after injury and getting help only by pushing for it

(78:32) - COVID, masks, and why the vaccine mandate triggered everything

(83:24) - The human rights court case and why the mandate was unlawful

(88:35) - Being stood down again after the mandate lifted

(91:29) - A senior officer’s toxic attitude during a major training event

(95:07) - The 50/50 recruiting process and why he says merit was undermined

(101:09) - Selective crime stats and clearance-rate games

(103:19) - Pauline Hanson, immigration, and political frustration

(105:07) - Why DV systems often treat women as the default aggrieved party

(107:26) - His pet peeves, including immigration policy and crunching sounds

(109:09) - Closing reflections on policing, mental health, and a possible return visit

summary

In this episode, Keith McDonald shares insights from his 37-year policing career, discussing the evolution of law enforcement, legislation, and community issues. Discover how policing has changed over decades and the lessons learned along the way.

keywordspolicing, law enforcement, police career, legislation, community safety, police evolution, domestic violence, social media impact, police training, law reform

key topics

• Career progression from recruit to inspector
• Impact of legislation on policing practices
• Evolution of police equipment and tactics
• Role of social media and public perception
• Handling domestic violence and community issues
• Major incidents and lessons learned
• Police training and leadership development
• Community engagement and trust building

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Keith's background

02:11Early life and career beginnings

05:08Policing in Cumbia and Gold Coast

09:56Police roles and responsibilities over the years

14:59Training at the Police Academy

20:12Evolution of police equipment and weapons

24:59Major incidents and their impact

30:01Legislation changes and community issues

34:55Leadership and mentorship in policing

39:58The role of social media and public perception

45:03Reflections on career and lessons learned

49:54Future of policing and law reform

55:09Closing thoughts and gratitude

Summary

In this episode, Loz shares her journey from Australia to the UK police force, her experiences in policing, and insights into the differences between UK and Queensland policing. She discusses her passion for sexual offenses, the challenges faced by officers, and the importance of mental health and accountability in law enforcement.

Keywordspolicing, UK police, Queensland police, sexual offenses, mental health, law enforcement challenges, police training, police culture, police career, police experiences

Key Topics

• Loz's background and move from Australia to the UK
• Differences between UK and Queensland policing
• Specialist roles in sexual offenses and mental health
• Challenges faced by police officers including burnout and culture
• The importance of communication, rapport, and de-escalation
• Training, career progression, and systemic issues in policing
• Impact of personal trauma and mental health in law enforcement
• The role of accountability and police culture change

Sound Bites

• "Support in Tottenham was my team, I think I went on my eighteenth birthday."
• "The job that I had, I was a sexual offenses investigator, and I am very proud of that."
• "All people want is to be heard and understood."

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Loz's policing journey

02:00Loz's move from Australia to London

04:03School life and early career choices

07:11Joining the police and initial training

10:11Support for Tottenham and football memories

12:50Deciding to pursue policing as a career

15:01Application process and interview experience

19:57First day at Hendon Police Academy

21:55Life in the police station and station environment

25:00Loz's first station in East London

29:56Police equipment and weapons in the UK

32:55Handling trauma and mental health in policing

40:02Specialist roles in sexual offenses and achievements

50:04Moving to Australia and reasons for returning

54:53Differences in police culture and operational approach

59:49Challenges faced by UK police officers in Queensland

01:05:10Mental health, burnout, and coping strategies

01:09:53Loz's advice for new officers and police culture

01:14:50The importance of communication and rapport

01:20:10Loz's pet peeves and closing thoughts