Tango Juliet Foxtrot - the police podcast

Episode 71: Total breakdown to recovery and a new life outside policing - Interview with Zane McCormack

Mental health issues are now reaching epidemic proportions in UK policing, and a recent academic report (Op Soteria Bluestone) showed that burnout symptoms for emotional exhaustion shown from a survey of officers are higher than amongst NHS staff during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Zane McCormack was a high-performing officer at the top of his game. Ironically he worked on a team dedicated to finding missing people who were experiencing mental health crises in difficult-to-reach terrain (coastal areas, mountains and remote landscapes) when he had a complete mental breakdown. He now works to support men in difficulties with his new venture www.theassuredman.com

Bonus Episode: Sir Mark Rowley - drinking from the poisoned chalice

Sir Mark Rowley, the Commissioner of the Met gave evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee this week and it provided a fascinating insight into the bewilderingly complex job that he has taken on. The preoccupations of the MPs and their obvious lack of understanding of the realities of modern policing was alarming but not at all surprising. 

Episode 70: The gruesome world of Forensic Biology - Interview with Carol Rogers

This week I learn loads by chatting with the fascinating Carol Rogers who has spent 25 years attending some pretty horrific crime scenes as a forensic biologist.

Episode 69:Managing the security of the Qatar World Cup - Interview with Andy Conway

This week I chat with Andy Conway, who has been planning and managing the security of high profile visitors, politicians and royalty visiting the 2022 football World Cup in Qatar. Andy had a long and interesting career in policing, running the Prime Ministerial protection team for a number of years.

Episode 68: Autumn statement, Austerity 2.0, Sir Mark Rowley, overpaid consultancies and bullying in the police

There has been a lot going on as ever in policing, so I decided to give you my thoughts. Lucky you. You're welcome.

I talked about the Iceberg of Ignorance (Sidney Yoshida)....here's a link to more information.

 

https://andonix.com/uncovering-the-iceberg-of-ignorance/

 

 

Episode 67: Twenty years working undercover - Interview with Joe Carter

Joe Carter (not his real name) spent over 20 years as an undercover officer, infiltrating criminal gangs. He wrote a book 'Undercover - A true story' about his experiences. 

Episode 66: Banaz Mahmod - Murdered for being in love - Interview with Caroline Goode

In this episode, I chat with Caroline Goode QPM. Caroline was the senior investigating officer for the investigation into the murder of Banaz Mahmod. Banaz was only 20 years old when she was killed by her father and other family members for leaving a violent, abusive, arranged marriage and starting a new relationship.

I really enjoyed talking to Caroline. We talked about her career and exchanged light-hearted reminiscences about her time in the Met, before the conversation took a much darker turn with her recollections of the murder investigation.

**Warning: This episode contains some very distressing content**

Episode 65: Bonus Episode - A sweary rant from me about recent events in policing and news about the TJF audiobook

I thought it might be useful to address some of the many recent issues impacting the best job in the world that is quickly becoming the worst job in the world. I also give you some news about the TJF audiobook.

Sorry about the Anglo-Saxon swearing, but sometimes you need to say it as it is.

Episode 64: Direct-entry detectives and a life dedicated to solving crime - Interview with Tom Murray

This week I explore the good, the bad and the ugly of the new direct-entry detective scheme by chatting with Tom Murray, who spent the best part of 40 years investigating crime, before becoming a mentor to the new cohorts of direct-entry detectives.

This scheme was created following a national shortage of detectives that was yet another unwelcome and destructive legacy of the Theresa May years as Home Secretary and Prime Minister.

Episode 63: How are police officers being trained and educated today? - Interview with Ex-Ch Supt Ron Winch

The subject of current police training has attracted a lot of criticism, latterly...much of it from me! I thought it would be important to separate fact from fiction. Therefore, I had a chat with my old colleague Ron Winch, who is the course director for police trainees at Birmingham City University, helping to prepare police officers for what is hopefully a long and fruitful career.