It's often been said a dog is man's best friend. A trained dog may also be the best friend for any veteran police officer who's been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Police Assistance Dog (PAD) program run by the Blue Ribbon Foundation in partnership with Protecting the Protectors is p…

Bob Kumar re-joins me on The Crime Couch to talk about youth crime, contest mentions, life as a Magistrate and retirement The former Deputy Chief Magistrate of Victoria spent nearly 40 years on the bench. Bob's been described as " a visionary Magistrate" and "a man of the people". He introduced the state's Koori Court and created the contest mentio…

Bob Kumar is a former Magistrate who spent nearly 40 years on the bench. He presided over the Broadmeadows Magistrates Court and also appointed as Victoria's Deputy Chief Magistrate. Bob's been described as a "visionary Magistrate" and "a man of the people". He helped introduce the Koori Court and created the contest mention. A hearing that allows …

Glenn "Dutchy" Holland wasn't always a Victoria Police Sergeant. He used to work in the casino industry on a tiny island called Tinian and on international cruise ships. Dutchy's been in the job for 21 years starting in Frankston on the van. He's been a detective and currently working as an operational member in Melbourne. His work around mental he…

Mark “Trigger” Tregellas has broken his spine, knee, shoulder and elbow. He's been shot in the face and battled with cancer. The former Victoria Police Leading Senior Constable has served 31 years mainly in three remote coastal towns. Like many operational police officers, Trigger's dealt with lunatics, drunks, bizarre situations, neo-Nazis and dea…

In the 1990's Deb Keogh was one of the few female detectives "in the job". It was challenging. The former Victoria Police Sergeant worked in traffic operations, accident investigation and as a Detective stationed in the suburbs, including working with my dear father when he was Chief Supt in "E" district (Dandenong). Deb retired from ill-health aft…

This is the final of a two-part interview with Queensland Police Detective Sonya Leeding. Sonya's husband, Damien - also a Queensland Detective - was shot and killed in May 2011 during a botched armed robbery. Since that fateful night, Sonya's life has never been the same. The Detective Senior Constable's written a book, Blue Widow by Ocean Reeve P…

The 29th of May 2011 is a date that changed Queensland Police Detective Sonya Leeding's world forever. This was the night her husband, Damien - also a Queensland Detective - was shot and killed during a botched armed robbery. Since that fateful night, Sonya's life has never been the same. The Detective Senior Constable's written a book, Blue Widow …

Annette in't Hout is one of three fulltime Senior Chaplains working with Victoria Police. There's also about 85 volunteer Chaplains across the state. This year the Victoria Police Chaplaincy commemorates it's 50-year anniversary of making a difference to the men and women in blue. Annette grew up in Griffith, NSW with Barbara McKay as her Sunday sc…

Tim Egan is not your average police member. The retired AFP Superintendent has served 34 years in three continents. Before joining the Northern Territory Police, Tim was a mine worker, timber millhand, builder's laborer and bank clerk. His role "in the job" proved just as varied. The 85-year-old worked in some of Australia's most remote police stat…

Sheree Moore still hears the gunshots from the Queen Street shootings involving killer Frank Vitkovic. It's not something you ever forget, she says. Sheree was on duty in December 1987 when the Queen Street massacres took place. The former Sergeant and Crime Scene Investigator worked in suburban stations, at Dandenong, and did temp duties at the CI…

Well, it's the end of Season 3 on The Crime Couch. This is a compilation of the 39 episodes during 2023. You'll hear from former Detective Senior Constable Carl Stella, retired members Colleen Woolley, Graeme Simpfendorfer, Val Smith, Highway Patrol Senior Constable Alex Prestney and true crime author Megan Norris. Sadly, this year marked the passi…

Working in Victoria Police's Major Crime Squad was not for sissies, according to Ian "Doss" Dosser. He recalls going through doors with a nine-pound door-key and loaded firearms when chasing armed robbers. The former Detective Chief Inspector initially worked at the usual round of suburban CIB's including the Heidelberg Crime Cars, before joining "…

Wendy Cowling is a former Victoria Police Sergeant with 34 years under her belt. She began at the Russell Street Policewomen's Division and had mentors like Joan Paffett, Sandy Langlands, Myrene Purcell and Jill Wood. She was an operational policewoman most of her career; gazetted at Cheltenham General Duties and worked in General Duties throughout…

Well, 2023 has been a big year on The Crime Couch. We’ve featured some intriguing, fascinating current and retired police members, and other interesting individuals. This is the last of a 2-parter, featuring “The Best of” my interviewees this year; including former Detective Chief Inspector Ian "Doss" Dosser, retired Detective Sergeant Geoff Shephe…

2023 has been a huge year on The Crime Couch. We've interviewed the most intriguing and fascinating current and former police members and interesting individuals. This is part 1 of a 2 parter; "The Best of The Crime Couch" featuring some of the females I've interviewed this year, such as former Victoria Police Detective Christine "Chris" McIntyre, …

Christine "Chris" McIntyre was the first female to join the infamous Breaking Squad. The gutsy officer had an extraordinary career; once leaping on the back of a crook attempting to put a sleeper-hold on him as he held her partner at gunpoint! Christine also recalls hiding in a broom cupboard from crims when working undercover in BCI. The former Vi…

Graeme Simpfendorfer was working at a county bank when armed robbers busted in. As police dramatically arrested the offenders when they did a runner - Graeme knew exactly what he wanted to do. He joined Victoria Police "working the beat" across Melbourne, before becoming a detective. The former Detective Sergeant joined the Homicide Squad before le…

Trevor Collins and a fellow Victoria Police's Major Collision Investigation Unit (MCIU) detective once crawled along a road hunting for a red paint flake after a tragic hit run collision where an 84-year-old woman was killed. He found it and was able to trace the paint flake back to the vehicle driven by an offender who was later found, charged and…

Trevor Collins spent more than two decades dealing with the horror and anguish of road trauma in Victoria Police's Major Collision Investigation Unit. The former Detective Leading Senior Constable is a brilliant collision investigator and qualified by the courts as an expert in the field. Trevor was passionate and dedicated about ensuring justice w…

Ed Pollard's had a fascinating career in Victoria Police. The Senior Sergeant worked extensively at inner-city stations before joining the Police Air-Wing as an Observer. Ed then qualified as a Prosecutor which led to him working at the State Coroner's Assistant Unit and tours to Bali, after the bombings and Thailand, after the tsunami. He's specia…

Maureen Blue has retired after nearly fifty years with Victoria Police. She's worked in sworn and unsworn roles and is an expert in management, behavioural issues, education and training. Maureen's a specialist in people management and dispute resolution and been working as a Senior Instructor at People Development Command. In her 14 years at the A…

Steve Cook is an experienced investigator with more than 16 years working in law enforcement. He's currently a Senior Inspector with RSPCA Victoria in the Major Investigations team. Steve's role includes responding to reports from the public, investigating animal cruelty and attending properties "one up" across the state. Prior to working at the RS…

Carl Stella was a Detective Senior Constable with Victoria Police for more than 30 years. He followed his grandfather who was a police officer in Italy. He joined the Highway Patrol before having a serious motorbike collision, eventually returning to the CIB. Carl did his rounds as a suburban detective but always aimed to get into the Crime Squads.…

Esther McKay is a former NSW Police Force Detective Senior Constable who specialises in forensic services. She spent years at murder scenes, traffic accidents and major crime investigations. Her areas of expertise include crime scene, vehicle and document examination. The grueling work, huge hours and her relentless commitment to the job eventually…

One Australian woman dies at the hands of an intimate or former partner every week in Australia. What's less known is that one Australian child is killed each fortnight at the hands of as parent or stepparent. Megan Norris has republished a book, "Look What You Made Me Do" which features nine cases of "spousal revenge" where fathers or stepfathers …

I first met Esther McKay in 2005 at a writer's festival. We were both authors talking about our new true crime books. Esther is a former NSW Police Force Detective Senior Constable whose life journey has been fascinating. She worked for 17 years in the job specialising in forensic services. Esther entered that tough, male-dominated world determined…

The Crime Couch is back! With a new sponsor, Police Care Australia. It's an online portal where current, former police and family members can get support and counselling with professionals that understand police. Ken "Ashy" Ashworth was one of the hard men in the job. He retired as a Victoria Police Detective Inspector, was awarded an APM and two C…

Russian-based hacker groups, phishing, data-breaches and ransomware attacks have become part of today's workplace. This week on The Crime Couch, former Detective Leading Senior Constable Christopher McNaughton talks about cyber-criminals, the latest trends and how our internet-enabled devices like the fridge can be used against us! Chris left Victo…

This is part 2 of an interview I did 20 years ago with former Victoria Police Detective Superintendent Alan Pleitner. I interviewed Alan when writing Billy "The Texan" Longley's biography. He was a Detective Senior Constable in the Homicide Squad when Melbourne's waterfront war was underway. Alan talks about the role of the Homicide Squad Detective…

Senior Constable Alex Prestney knows more than most about road trauma. The Victoria Police officer lost his brother Joshua in the Eastern Freeway crash on the 22nd of April 2020. Joshua was one of four Victoria Police members tragically killed in the accident. Alex is articulate, publicly expressing what he's going through. He's even returned to hi…

This week from the vault, part one of a two -part interview from 2003 with former Victoria Police Detective Superintendent Alan Pleitner. Alan was a Detective Senior Constable in the Homicide Squad when Melbourne's waterfront war was exploding. He'd grown up in the country and worked as a young Constable in the inner city. I interviewed Alan when w…

Former Victoria Police Inspector Lilian Irwin sadly passed away on Saturday night, 17 June 2023. I was lucky to sit with the 96-year-old "Lil" as she was affectionately known, on The Crime Couch, during 2021. This is our interview, republished. Lil led the way for women in the police force for nearly three decades. When she joined in 1961, she was …

I first met Colleen Woolley at the Retired Police Association (RPA). As a television producer, I'd contact her trying to contact Victoria Police members. The former Senior Sergeant served as a Woman Auxiliary in the South Australian Police Force and represented policewomen in Victoria as the sole Police Association delegate. Colleen was the first f…

Joy Murphy is the longest serving female police officer in the world. The Victoria Police Detective Senior Sergeant worked in the first Rape Squad, the Dealers and Sexual Offences Squads. She has more than 50 years in the job and renowned for her work in sex crime. Joy's changed the way Victoria Police investigate sexual assault and family violence…

This is the last of a two-part interview with Brian "The Skull" Murphy. I interviewed him when writing Billy "The Texan" Longley's biography in 2004. Murph talks about the Pat Shannon trial, giving evidence against Billy in court and the company they set up called "Industrial Mediation". The former Victoria Police Detective Sergeant had a fearsome …

This week on The Crime Couch I feature the first of a two-part historical interview with Brian "The Skull" Murphy. I interviewed the infamous former Victoria Police Detective Sergeant in 2004 when writing the biography of Billy "The Texan" Longley. From his loungeroom, Brian opened up about the Painters and Dockers, when he first met The Texan and …

Ian "Doss" Dosser is an experienced Detective with years of working in Victoria Police's Crime Squads. In part two of his interview, the former Detective Chief Inspector talks about Operation Sentinel, the investigation into the Drug Squad break-in, his two awards involving a successful fraud investigation and an armed offender situation where thre…

Ian "Doss" Dosser is an experienced, decorated Victoria Police investigator with 33 years under his belt. The former Detective Chief Inspector initially worked at the usual round of suburban CIB's including the Heidelberg Crime Cars. Doss was in the Major Crime Squad and the Homicide Squad. He was Officer in Charge of the Armed Robbery, Arson, Asia…

Wendy Cowling is a former Victoria Police Sergeant with 34 years under her belt. She began at the Russell Street Policewomen's Division and had mentors like Joan Paffett, Sandy Langlands, Myrene Purcell and Jill Wood. She was gazetted at Cheltenham General Duties and worked in GD's throughout Melbourne's south-east. Wendy was promoted to Sergeant a…

Kevin Collister is from "the school of hard knocks". He's spent more than 30 years in the military, prison sector and the Security and Emergency Services Group's dog squad. He's been an ADF Infantry solider and military policeman. Kev's spent years dealing with Australia's most dangerous criminals. As a lead defence tactics instructor, he's taught …

Valentine "Val" Smith spent 45 years in police and military service, specialising in investigations. Val also helped create the "Crimestoppers" program and worked in Victoria Police's industrial relations division. After leaving Victoria Police, Val's been a consultant for Stopline; the Victorian Department of Justice and Crimestoppers Internationa…

My dear father William (Bill) Jackson unfortunately passed on Saturday 1 April, 2023 after a fall two days earlier. He was my foundation, inspiration, role model and the person I always wanted to impress. This week on The Crime Couch the former Chief Superintendent is featured in a special tribute. It's a compilation of the three interviews I've do…

Janet Low was the 79th policewoman to join Victoria Police in the 1960's. In those days, policewomen were restricted in what jobs they did; usually involving only welfare and children. But Janet cracked the glass ceiling. She spent nearly 20 years at Victoria Police, retiring as a Senior Sergeant at Prahran. She was an opera-singer, cooking teacher…

Janet Low is a legend inside and outside Victoria Police. When she received her cap badge, she was P/W 79. The former Senior Sergeant spent 20 years in the job, finishing at Prahran. But Janet is so much more than a veteran police officer. She's an opera singer, cooking teacher and an invaluable member of Ballarat's art and theatrical scene, with B…

Geoff Shepherd was going to be a Navy chopper pilot until a knee injury forced him to consider his choice of career. So, Geoff joined Victoria Police as his brother Phil was already in the job. The former Sergeant worked operational duties in Footscray, Altona DSG and Brunswick before joining the Homicide Squad, where he investigated the murder of …

Geoff Tulloch was a Superintendent with Victoria Police. He worked in the Mobile Traffic section, Crime Cars, as a law instructor and in the Training Research section before finishing at the Police Academy. But Geoff's real passion is his Aerial Square 4 motorbike. He rode with his now wife Jean on the back of the bike to propose to her in Metung a…

Glenn "Dutchy" Holland hasn't always been a Victoria Police Sergeant. He used to work in the casino industry and on international cruise ships. Dutchy's worked on the van, as a Detective in Crime Command and is currently operational on Melbourne's frontline. But it's Dutchy's work in mental health where he really makes a difference. Seven years ago…

In her second interview on The Crime Couch, Christine "Chris" McIntyre talks about being the first woman to run a police station, how she arrested an armed robber and the wonders of an ASP baton! In an era where female Victoria Police officers had to know their place and were given jobs involving welfare and minor crimes; the former Victoria Police…

Christine "Chris" McIntyre was the first female in the infamous Breaking Squad. The former Victoria Police detective led the way for women in the job; was the first female to run her own police station and be elected Director of the Police Association Credit Union. The gutsy officer had an extraordinary career; once leaping on the back of a crook a…