In this episode we hear from Steven Keogh, a retired Metropolitan detective, and Anthony McNeil, a retired Michigan police officer, who share their journeys into law enforcement. Steven reflects on his early days in South London, policing the area he grew up in, and the challenges of transitioning from an accounting career to the police force. Anthony recounts his unexpected path to becoming a police officer, the rigorous training at the academy, and the demanding field training programme. Both discuss the importance of knowing the community they serve and the real-world experiences that shaped their careers. This episode offers a candid look at the personal and professional lives of two seasoned officers.
Anthony McNeil who was a Police Officer with City of Southfield Police Department in Michigan, over a 20 year period from 1992 until 2013. During this time, Anthony worked in a variety of roles, including; patrol, Field Training officer, hostage negotiator and detective. Throughout Anthony’s career he was awarded many department citations and merits, and was named “Everyday Hero” by a local TV station.
Anthony sadly had health issues which forced him off the road in 2008, and into a front desk job, where he worked for five years, but he didn’t enjoy this and so he retired.
Steven Keogh was a Metropolitan Police Officer in London, with his first posting being in 1991 in South London when he was 20 years old. Steven spent half of his 30 year career as a Scotland Yard Detective, ending his career in 2021 as a Detective Inspector in the Murder Investigation Team, where he had been a murder investigator for 12 years. Over his career, Steven helped to hunt down terrorists, when in 2002 he joined Scotland Yard’s Elite Anti-terrorist Branch, where he spent three years, and he also investigated some of London’s worst murder cases.
Steven received a commendation in 2005 from the work he carried out on the London 7/7 bombings.
If you'd like to find out more about Anthony and Steven visit;
00:00:00: Introduction and Recent Collaborations
00:00:55: Anthony McNeil's Background and Career
00:06:04: Early Career and Desire to Start a Business
00:08:46: Steven Keogh's Background and Career
00:09:58: Steven's Early Career and Decision to Join the
00:12:01: Arresting School Friends and Community Policing
00:13:07: Police Training and Application Process
00:14:51: Medical Examination and Interview Process
00:17:44: Starting at Hendon and Initial Impressions
00:18:52: Life at the Police Academy
00:18:58: Anthony's Academy Experience and Physical Training
00:21:32: Challenges and Mind Games at the Academy
00:23:48: Proposal to Wife and Balancing Personal Life
00:25:33: Cadet Programme and Entry into the Police Academy
00:28:37: Academic and Practical Training at the Academy
00:31:50: Graduation and Field Training Officer (FTO)
00:34:57: First Traffic Stop and Learning to Handle
00:37:05: Stress and Challenges in the FTO Programme
00:41:27: Balancing Work, Court, and Personal Life
00:42:48: Street Duties and Early Policing Experience
00:45:22: Probation Period and Career Progression
00:49:22: Transition to Detective and Starting a Business
00:51:08: Conclusion and Sneak Peek of Episode Two
