The Curtis Palmer Program
TRIGGER WARNING: This Podcast deals with terminal illness and trauma some listeners may find it distressing and listener discretion is advised. If you are struggling with your mental health do contact your welfare officer, GP or a MH Charity. The Curtis Palmer Program is a charity set to help serving and retired police officers get back to a better place after suffering physical or mental inju...
36m Sep 29, 2022
36m
Firearm incidents
In this episode we will be looking at firearms officers, the training they receive, firearms incidents and the post incident procedure following a fatal shooting. We are joined by Darren Ware. Former soldier and police firearms officer and now a post incident manager with Lancashire Constabulary. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.
38m Sep 20, 2022
38m
The Police and Crime Commissioner
In this episode we will be looking at the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner or PCC. Brought in to replace the old police authorities and make Chief Constables more accountable. But has it worked? We will be looking at this and providing our opinions. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.
30m Sep 12, 2022
30m
Police pursuits
In this episode we look at the subject of police pursuits and how they could infringe the offences of careless and dangerous driving. There is currently no exemption in law to these offences and no account is taken of police driver training and the higher standards they drive to. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.
32m Sep 06, 2022
32m
Mike Cunningham
In this episode Dave Thomas speaks with the then CEO of the college of policing Mike Cunningham. Recorded a while back just prior to his retirement, Mike is in reflective mood as he looks back on his career. In this week's NightJack piece, Richard Horton reflects on unexpected good news from the front line and how police uniform has changed beyond recognition over three decades. The Thin Blue...
33m Aug 29, 2022
33m
Jackie Malton with Sue Clarke
Jackie Malton was a no-nonsense girl from Leicestershire who joined the police force in the 1970s when women were kept apart from the men. Feisty and determined, Jackie worked in CID and the famous flying squad before rising to become one of only three female detective chief inspectors in the Metropolitan Police. In The Real Prime Suspect, Malton describes the struggles she faced as a gay woman...
37m Aug 26, 2022
37m
HMICFRS report
In this episode we will be looking at the recently published HMICFRS report looking at the police’s poor  response to serious acquisitive crime. We will be taking apart it’s findings and debating why everything can’t be a priority. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.
33m Aug 22, 2022
33m
The routine arming of Police.
In this episode we will be looking at whether UK police should be routinely armed. There are cultural issues, cost implications and training abstractions to consider amongst many other factors. Dave Thomas, in his first monologue looks at why we as police officers wear emotional masks at work and why that is not good for us. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the lead...
36m Aug 08, 2022
36m
Examining low rape convictions
In this episode we will be looking at the offence of rape and it’s very low conviction rate in the UK courts. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.
35m Aug 01, 2022
35m
In conversation with former Chief Constable Mike Barton
Mike Barton grew up on a Lancashire farm which gave him a good grounding in resilience. He joined Lancashire Constabulary in 1980 and quickly rose those the ranks becoming the Chief Constable of Durham. He is now retired and through austerity steered the organisation into the best performing police force in the country. His views on drugs have caused controversy. In this candid interview he t...
42m Jul 18, 2022
42m
Have jury trials had there day?
In this episode we will be looking at trial by jury and whether the process, which is over a thousand years old and enshrined in the magna carta, is fit for the 21st century.  Richard Horton continues his Night Jack blog and discusses the role of the police and crime commissioner. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.
32m Jul 18, 2022
32m
Special Measures
In this episode we will be looking at the circumstances surrounding the Mets recent downfall into special measures and with other forces in the same position we look at how it came to this and why it’s just more than austerity. Steve Bradshaw continues his Acting Inspector blog and discusses what makes a good TV detective. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leadin...
35m Jul 11, 2022
35m
The police right to strike.
In this episode we will be looking at the Police right to strike. It is a topic that divides many officers but one thing is for sure.  After a decade of austerity and wage cuts, the British Bobby has had a belly full of cuts and under investment. Richard Horton continues his Night Jack blog and discusses the Airwaves police radio project.  The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Polic...
34m Jul 04, 2022
34m
Police recruitment
In this episode we will be looking at Police recruitment and the bewildering various routes a potential applicant can follow. We will also be looking at how this impacts on retention and Steve Bradshaw gets quite passionate about the academic entry routes and how it is breaking student officers.  We have also included a section of a previous interview with Mike Cunningham, the then CEO of the ...
36m Jun 27, 2022
36m
Police Race Action Plan.
In this episode we will be looking at the Race Action Plan. A collaboration between the college of policing and the National Police Chiefs Council together with various representatives of the Black and minority communities. It attempts to address the disparities suffered by the black and minority communities in their engagement with the police. We will be looking at the plan and discussing its...
42m Jun 20, 2022
42m
Stop and search.
In this episode we will be looking at the police tactic of stop and search and it’s disproportionate use against the black community. We will also be looking at what constitutes reasonable grounds and the previous College of Policing guidelines adopted by some but not all police forces. We attempted to make contact with the college of Policing for comment but unfortunately they have not repli...
34m Jun 13, 2022
34m
Social media and the impact it has on modern day policing.
In this episode we will be looking at the impact of social and mainstream media has on police forces and individual officers. It can affect morale and the perception the public have for their police.  We will also be looking at the way the police use social media between it’s officers and the damaging impact it has had in recent events.  Finally Danny Shaw, former BBC home corespondent and no...
41m Jun 06, 2022
41m
Steve Bradshaw aka “Noah Burd”
Steve Bradshaw is a recently retired Police Inspector. He has spent the majority of his policing career as a firearms officer before being promoted up the ranks where he became a Force Incident Manager, taking command of high risk critical incidents such as vehicle pursuits, firearms and major threats to the public. But he also led another life as a budding actor and now retired, is free to fu...
28m May 04, 2022
28m
Richard Horton aka “The Night Jack”
Richard Horton began his career with a short spell in accountancy before joining the police. Serving in the east side of Lancashire he performed several duties before becoming a Detective, a role he dedicated himself to for more than twenty years. Moving back into uniform towards the end of his career he was a response Sergeant overseeing a team of young and eager police officers. But that isn...
31m Apr 26, 2022
31m
Pilot episode
Welcome to what is a first for A Mindful Life. This podcast is a concept if you like, a working idea of something I have wanted to do for sometime. If successful it may become a commercial project, another first. Retired police officers Steve Bradshaw and Richard Horton, together with myself have collaborated to produce a show about current policing issues and topics.  We would very much appre...
35m Apr 17, 2022
35m
Desiderata by Max Ehrmann
Desiderata by Max Ehrmann Max Ehrmann(1872-1945) was a scholar and poet, born in Terre Haute, Indiana on September 16, 1872. He was the youngest of five children of German immigrants. He graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana in 1894, and then studied law and philosophy at Harvard University. After 10 years in the business world, Ehrmann retired so he could devote all his ti...
3m Apr 05, 2022
3m
Alfie Moore aka “The Laughing Policeman”
Alfie Moore was a police officer for twenty years before deciding that his path lay in stand up comedy. Using the skills that he gained on the street, he learnt how to “work the room” and became increasingly successful. Now playing to sell out theatres up and down the country and having his own radio series on BBC Radio 4, it’s fair to say he has become an established entertainer. In this podc...
37m Feb 13, 2022
37m
Karen Davies - Sequins to sirens
Karen Davies was a cabaret performer who later became a police officer. However, years of working in the high pressure environment eventually took its toil and Karen left the service in 2015. It is a story that I could have  written myself since it has many similarities to my own decent into mental anguish and trauma.  Thankfully, Karen has now found her solace in the beautiful mountains of So...
29m Feb 02, 2022
29m
Dimpsey Dusk by Eily Nash
Dimpsey Dusk by Eily Nash Eily Nash is an English author with 18 books of poetry and story telling under her belt. Firmly connected to Mother Earth through her pagan beliefs, she weaves stories of magic and love. She has very kindly given me permission to read one of her short stories entitled Dimpsey Dusk. A delightful tale of forests, elves and fairies 🧚‍♀️ You can find her books here on h...
6m Jan 20, 2022
6m
If by Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling has written several stories that have gone on to become famous. The Jungle Book, Kim and The Man who would be King to name a few. He was also responsible for some notable poems, perhaps his best known and philosophical entitled “If.” It is a marvellous poem which basically enthuses care and compassion of others and not to take yourself too seriously. The poem is now in the cop...
3m Nov 30, 2021
3m
A broken cop and his road to recovery.
It would seem fitting perhaps that my first podcast under the new mantle of A Mindful Life should concentrate on myself. After 25 years in the UK police, I suffered a mental breakdown. Even now I feel weak for admitting that. That is my ego talking though. My hope is that my experience in the blue light services will assist others to make sense of their own journey. I retire in 2022 where I ...
20m Nov 17, 2021
20m
Sam Murray. Former Royal Marine.
Sam Murray is a former Royal Marine who later worked in the private sector doing surveillance and close protection assignments. Whilst his professional life was varied and exciting, his own wellbeing started to suffer.  Buried grief and other personal traumas started to take their toll on Sam and he turned to alcohol and drugs before trying to his own life. After a spell in hospital and findin...
29m Mar 19, 2021
29m
PILGRIM BANDITS: The Curtis Palmer Project
The Pilgrim Bandits (https://pilgrimbandits.org/) Pilgrim Bandits recognises the dangerous and often stressful work carried out by the Policing Family. We understand that PTSD, stress and mental health related issues have increased within the Police and Emergency services.  Officers nationwide are also daily suffering injuries, some life changing. Having worked for many years helping our Arme...
21m Sep 09, 2020
21m
MIKE CUNNINGHAM QPM: CEO of the College of Policing.
In this episode I talk with  Chief Constable Mike Cunningham, current head of the college of policing.  We discuss the PEQF and direct entry scheme to policing and the controversy it has caused with many front line officers.  We also discuss the new projects the college is currently rolling out and Mike reflects on his 30+ years in law enforcement. 
27m Aug 24, 2020
27m
LANCASHIRE VIOLENCE REDUCTION NETWORK: Police and communities working together to provide trauma informed policing.
The Lancashire Violence Reduction Network (http://www.lancsvrn.co.uk) are a team of specialists from health, education, police, youth offending, probation, local government and social care who are working together to share best practices and connect services to tackle violent crime and its underlying causes. We talk to Detective Chief Superintendent Sue Clarke who is leading Lancashire Constab...
39m Aug 01, 2020
39m
LIAM MAHON: Systems thinker and human being
Liam Mahon by his own mission didn’t enjoy school and left academically with very little. He joined the army and worked hard to gain his Green beret after completing the Royal Marines commando course.  After serving in Iraq he left the army and joined the police spending the next 13 years serving the police of Lancashire. But as we have heard so many times before he attended several incidents t...
35m Mar 11, 2020
35m
JOHN SUTHERLAND: Crossing the line.
In the April of 2013 my guest suffered a traumatic mental breakdown that would cut short his career as a police officer. He chose to write about that experience and in 2017 his book "Blue, a memoire: Keeping the peace and falling to pieces" was published.  Searingly honest, sharing police work in a way perhaps no one has ever done before and the toll that it took on him, it quickly became a bes...
51m Feb 16, 2020
51m
PETER KIRKHAM: Ex Met Police Officer and policing commentator
Peter Kirkham was born & bred on a farm in Cheshire. He travelled to London and basically never went back! He joined the Metropolitan Police as a Special Constable whilst at university and joined as a Constable immediately after he finished his degree.   He served in the Metropolitan Police for over 21 years, both in uniform and CID at all ranks up to Detective Chief Inspector.  He spent five y...
37m Dec 13, 2019
37m
LT COL WILL MEDDINGS: Leadership in the British Army
Lieutenant Colonel Will Meddings is an infantry officer in the Royal Anglian Regiment. Throughout his career he has commanded soldiers on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, in teams sizing  from a 12 man patrol fighting alongside the Afghan Army in Helmand, to a 100-strong company protecting advisors in Kabul. He now commands a battalion of 500 soldiers. In 2016 Will was one of the founders of...
30m Nov 29, 2019
30m
TOM WHEELHOUSE: The impact on officers leaving the police service.
Tom Wheelhouse spent several years in the Metropolitan police service and one of his career highlights was working on the 2012 London Olympics. However he soon came to realise that his dream job was becoming a nightmare and after careful thought handed in his resignation due to the toxic work atmosphere he found himself in.  With no job and no plan he managed to find work in the commercial sect...
32m Nov 16, 2019
32m
SARAH JANE LENNIE: The impact of emotional labour on police officers
Sarah-Jane (SJ) Lennie served as a police officer for 18 years before struggling with her mental health and finally making a personally difficult decision to change her career.  It was only at the point of finally speaking out about her own experiences of mental ill-health that she came to realise how many of her colleagues were also suffering, though no one was talking.   Coming from a family ...
37m Jul 22, 2019
37m
TONI WHITE: Men’s mental health advocate.
Tony White is a freelance mental health consultant with 20 years experience of high functioning depression, anxiety and complex PTSD specialising in men’s and workplace mental health. Tony’s work centres around education and advocation of men’s mental health and vulnerability, mentoring and supporting men on a one-to-one level as well as talks and training on the topic using a direct but humoro...
29m May 19, 2019
29m
EWEN SIM: Part 2 A mindfulness meditation.
In our last episode Ewen sim (@mindfulcop) explained his work involving mindfulness and what it is. Ewen has kindly returned to record a mindfulness mediation which lasts just under 20 minutes. So relax, unwind and let the moment take you. I do hope you enjoy it. Music by www.Premierbeat.com www.bensound.com
19m May 07, 2019
19m
EWEN SIM: Part 1 The mindful cop
Ewen Sim first discovered mindfulness whilst at university and it seemed a natural partner to his interest in Buddhism. Over the years he has taken additional training in yoga and hypnotherapy. In 2018 he was invited to the Houses of Parliament to take part in a Parliamentary committee looking at well-being and mindfulness in the armed and emergency services.  He is also a busy response offic...
26m Apr 18, 2019
26m
Steps to recovery and a brand new shed. Part 2
In our last episode a  Detective described his mental breakdown, his post traumatic stress diagnosis and the collapse of his shed. In this episode he shares with us how he sought help, overcame stigma and like a broken bone (a topic he is also familiar with) became stronger as a result of his lived experience. He now as a result, has a strong beautiful shed. I began by asking him about his fi...
21m Feb 16, 2019
21m
A journey into PTSD and the collapse of a shed. Part 1
A mental health episode , in the police at least, is affectionately known as a shed collapse. A Night Detective attended an incident at the back end of 2009 that would cause HIS shed to well and truly collapse three years later. Such was the trauma he experienced, he tried to take his own life. In a two part podcast, he describes the incident that lead to his breakdown. In the second episode...
24m Feb 14, 2019
24m
IAN WHITEHEAD: The roles and pitfalls of the middle manager.
Ian Whitehead is a career detective having spent the last 24 years in Lancashire Constabulary.  His early career saw him on various squads tackling burglary and robbery before moving on to serious and organised crime. He has served in every rank up to chief inspector in both uniformed and detective roles. He was promoted to detective superintendent and in 2017 became the head of public protect...
23m Jan 18, 2019
23m
BLACKPOOL TRAGEDY 1983 - Police Officers lost at sea.
At 1.48pm on Wednesday the 5th January 1983 the police control room at Blackpool broadcast a radio message that was to change the lives of many and would result in the loss of four human beings. Holiday maker Alistair Anthony was walking his Jack Russell dog along the lower walk when it went into the sea. He attempted a rescue but was washed away into a sea that has been described by many as s...
29m Jan 06, 2019
29m
ARMISTICE: Lest we forget
This year marked the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, the end of the war. Join us at War Memorial 565 in Blackpool as we experience this years remembrance service and some of views of those who were there.
10m Nov 22, 2018
10m
DAVE THOMAS: My own adverse childhood experience.
Today is World Mental Health Awareness Day. After doing a series of podcasts with ex offenders I promised that I would share my own childhood experiences.  Fairly boring but no less impactful on me and that is the point. You don’t have to be the victim of a traumatic event to traumatised.  The podcast does not come from a point of expertise but one of experience. In hindsight, dealing with vi...
11m Oct 10, 2018
11m
FIONA MEECHAN: Compassion at work
Compassion at Work Toolkit (https://oscarkilo.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Compassion-at-Work-Toolkit-FINAL-5-December-2017.pdf) Fiona Meechan’s current role is Lecturer in Healthcare Leadership and Management at the Alliance Manchester Business School, where she delivers an MSc in Healthcare Leadership for people working in a wide range of senior clinical and non-clinical roles across th...
32m Sep 20, 2018
32m
KATIE HUTCHINGS: Heart transplant survivor
There was nothing common about the cold Katie Hutchings caught over the Easter of 2015. Within day's she was taken to hospital and put on the urgent transplant list. The virus has attacked her heart and had damaged it beyond repair. She eventually received a new donor heart and you would think that would have been the beginning of a new life. However it was to be the start of a nightmare she on...
30m Aug 18, 2018
30m
EX OFFENDER: Describes through his recovery and rehabilitation he learned to love himself
My guest today comes from a large family of privilege and wealth. His own father was quite elderly when he was born and he was sent to boarding school at an early age where he was sexually abused. All this made my guest feel worthless and he struggled to come to terms with his own emotions. He chose alcohol to take the pain away. As he got older he would enter into relationships which would u...
23m Jun 26, 2018
23m
GRAHAM GODDEN: From armed robber to charity founder.
In the third of my podcasts on adverse childhood experiences I talk to a man who committed a string of armed robberies in the south east of England at provincial building societies. Such became his notoriety he was dubbed the M25 bandit. He was eventually arrested by the Metropolitan Police's SO19 and has spent a total of eighteen and a half years in prison. Graham Godden had a difficult child...
31m Jun 20, 2018
31m
EX OFFENDER: Reflects on his life choices when addicted to cocaine and alcohol
In the second of my podcasts on adverse childhood experiences my guest has asked to remain anonymous for no other reason that to protect the identities of those people involved. He was responsible for an assault which resulted in a gaol sentence. Whilst inside and through the 12 step program, he closely examined himself and looked at his actions and how they were influenced by his own childhood...
32m Jun 17, 2018
32m