What really happens when substances like kava, cannabis, and alcohol take hold in remote communities?

In this episode, the boys cut through the noise and misinformation to share what they actually saw on the ground. From massive kava seizures and organised crime networks making huge profits, to the devastating impact on families and communities, this is the reality most people never hear about.

They also tackle the backlash from social media critics, the mindset needed to handle it, and why “the standard you walk past is the standard you accept” still rings true in policing.

It’s raw, honest, and at times confronting—mixed in with a bit of the usual banter, a yarn about the old PCYC days, and a well-earned “carton of the week.”

If you want the truth behind the headlines and a real look at life policing the Top End—this one’s for you.

In Episode 114, Schultzy and Damo sit down with retired Queensland police officer and long-time dog handler David Raymond, who spent 26 years in the dog squad after joining the QPS in 1989. From tracking offenders through the streets and scrub of North Queensland to locating missing people and saving lives, David shares what police dogs are really capable of and why they are one of the most effective tools in policing.

This episode dives into the training, selection, and real-world use of police dogs, along with plenty of stories from David’s career in Cairns and beyond. It is a fascinating look at the bond between handler and dog, the pressure of the job, and the role police dogs play not just in catching crooks, but in protecting officers and the public as well.

In Episode 113, Schultzy and Damo kick things off with shout outs to members of the policing community who have reached out to the podcast, including former coppers who have sent in books, patches, and messages from across Australia and New Zealand.

The boys then unpack a busy week in law enforcement across the country, discussing several recent police shootings and explaining why police are often referred to as society’s hard stop. They also break down the reality behind welfare checks, what they actually mean in policing, and why the vast majority of these jobs end without any force being used.

Along the way there’s the usual Two Ordinary Cops banter, including stories about police dogs and life on the job.

Coming up next, the podcast will feature some of the former police officers who have sent in their books, sharing their own experiences from bush policing, dog squads, and frontline service.

What does a detective actually do?

In this episode, we break down the reality behind plainclothes policing — where detectives came from, why they exist, and what it really takes to earn that gold badge. From intense training courses and major crime exercises to extradition warrants, long hours, and cases that don’t stop just because you’re exhausted — this is the work behind the badge.

But it doesn’t stop there.

We also reflect on the extraordinary coppers we served alongside — the ones who ran in sixth gear when everyone else was red-lining in fifth. The hunters. The relentless operators. The ones whose phones never stopped ringing because everyone trusted them.

This isn’t about Hollywood undercover myths.

Two Ordinary Cops talking about extraordinary policing.

In Episode 111, the boys sit down with serving Queensland Police Sergeant Jake Lacy for a genuine yarn about growing up on the Gold Coast, joining the police, and choosing the adventure of heading north before being thrown straight into the realities of bush policing in Mount Isa. From relentless jobs and limited backup to tight-knit teams and lifelong friendships, Jake explains how the bush fast-tracks both your policing experience and personal growth.

The episode blends humour, frontline stories, and honest reflections on camaraderie, police wellbeing, and organisational pressures - highlighting why looking after your mates, switching off from the job, and embracing the adventure out bush can shape not just better cops, but stronger humans.

Every week we get asked the same question: “How do I join the police?”

But the real question isn’t how — it’s why.

In this episode, we break down what becoming a police officer actually demands. Not the recruitment brochure version. Not the TV drama version. The real version.

We talk about:

Why your motivation matters more than your fitness score

The responsibility behind the badge (not the power)

The lifestyle change no one fully prepares you for

What the recruitment process is really looking for

The personality traits that will make or break you in the job

How the job will change you — whether you’re ready or not

We share our own recruitment journeys, the mistakes we made, the lessons we learned, and what we’d tell our younger selves before stepping through those academy gates.

If you’re thinking about joining the police — or you’ve already applied — this episode is your reality check.

Because this isn’t just a job.

It’s a commitment.

And you need to learn what it really takes.

What happens when NT bush coppers and Queensland country police work the same patch of dirt? You get chaos, camaraderie, and some cracking stories.

In this episode we sit down with Queensland Police officer Amit Singh, whose career has taken him from Brisbane to some of the most remote communities in the country. From solo responses on the Barkly Highway to cross-border jobs with NT Police, Amit shares what policing is really like when backup is hours away and the locals are your first support crew.

We talk Camooweal connections, bush problem-solving, interstate teamwork, and a bit of friendly cricket rivalry thrown in for good measure.

But it’s not just war stories. Amit opens up about the mental toll of the job, why recognising good police work matters, and how a simple message can change — or even save — a life. He also shares why he started the Strong Legacypodcast, focused on resilience, wellbeing, and reminding first responders of the difference they make.

Bush policing, cross-border brotherhood, and looking after your mates — this one’s got heart.

We’re back answering your questions — from joining the AFP and life in the dog squad, to why bush policing can shape you into a better cop.

We share stories about working with police dogs, the reality of remote Territory jobs, and how body-worn cameras could save huge time on statements. Then we tackle the big one: does a full moon really send people wild? Let’s just say… there’s a reason cops watch the sky.

We also head into croc country, talking Cahill’s Crossing, remote dangers, and the kind of policing you only see in the Top End — before finishing with a few laughs and cartons owed.

Real stories, real policing, and plenty of Territory chaos.

In this episode, we’re joined by Rebecca Dale, Queensland Police veteran and Games Manager for the Australasian Police & Emergency Services Games, to talk about what the Games are really about — connection, camaraderie, and catching up with the people who just get it.

From cops, ambos and fireies reconnecting years after working side-by-side, to mixed teams, unexpected friendships and plenty of laughs along the way, this isn’t just a sporting event — it’s a frontline reunion. Rebecca shares how the Games bring together thousands of emergency service workers across Australasia, why networking off the job matters just as much as teamwork on it, and how shared experiences create bonds that last a lifetime.

There’s talk of unlikely sports, legendary banter, beer gardens, and why coming together for something positive hits differently for people who usually meet at the worst moments. It’s a high-energy, feel-good chat about mateship, movement, and why the Australasian Games are one of the best weeks on the calendar.

After missing their first deadline in 105 episodes — thanks to a 250kg heifer flattening Damo’s wife — the Two Ordinary Cops are back on the mic.

In this episode, Schultzy and Damo dive deep into one of the most fundamental — yet often underestimated — parts of policing: taking a proper statement.

Sparked by Schultzy reviewing a poorly constructed statement in the Lockie Jones investigation, the boys unpack why statements are often the difference between justice and a case falling apart. They break down key techniques like TEDS and ADVOCATE, explain how to avoid contaminating witnesses, and why open-ended questioning matters so much in court.

From handwritten notebooks to audio, video, and body-worn cameras, they also reflect on how statement taking has evolved — and why modern recording methods can be a game changer for both victims and police.

With real stories from the job, practical lessons for current serving members, and their trademark humour along the way, this is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand how cases are really built from the ground up.