Two Ordinary Cops
The two ordinary cops are former Northern Territory Police Officers Remote Sergeant Ben Schultz and Detective Sergeant Damien Barbe. With over 25 years experience Ben and Damo share stories from their time in the job. Follow along through the laughter, anger and tears that come with the rigours of Policing Australia’s last frontier.
Episodes
Episode 90 – Arrest First, Answers Later: Impartial or Predetermined? (Zac Rolfe Part 3)
In Part 3 of the Zac Rolfe series, we step into the moment everything changed—Rolfe’s arrest for murder. What followed raised difficult questions: was this an impartial investigation, or had the outcome already been decided? Rolfe recounts …
Episode 89 – The Shooting That Split a Nation: Interview with Zac Rolfe Part 2
In Part 2, Zac Rolfe takes us inside the events of 9 November 2019 in Yuendumu — the night that changed his life and shook policing across Australia. From the lead-up and mounting risks, to the split-second moment when a routine arrest turn…
Episode 88 – Voluntary Discomfort, Real-World Pressure: Interview with Zac Rolfe Part 1
In this first part of our three-part conversation with former NT Police Constable Zac Rolfe, we go behind the headlines to hear his story in his own words. From a privileged yet restless upbringing in Canberra, through boxing rings and the …
Episode 87 – Mailbag Mayhem and a Bombshell
From listener shout-outs to cartonable offences that’ll make you shake your head, Schultzy and Damo dive into the good, the bad, and the downright funny side of policing life. This one’s packed with stories from the bush, hard truths about …
Episode 86 - Deep, Dark and Dirty – Tales of a Diver with Luke McCulloch
When a call comes in for a body recovery and you’re dropped into shark-infested waters, most would tap out. Luke McCulloch dove straight in — literally. In this gripping episode, Schultzy and Damo sit down with former WA cop and police dive…
Episode 85 – Hypervigilance, Heartbreak, and Healing, Interview with Karlie Fleming
Episode 85 – Hypervigilance, Heartbreak, and Healing, Interview with Karlie Fleming dives deep into the hidden toll of frontline policing and intelligence work. Karlie shares her powerful journey from chasing her dream of joining the police…
Episode 84 – Lifeline on the Airwaves
In this episode, Schultzy and Damo dive into the lifeline of every first responder – the radio. From the gut-wrenching moments of being outnumbered on a hostile job to the sheer relief of hearing sirens racing in for backup, they unpack the…
Episode 83 – Off Duty, On Edge, and a Cartonable Offence
In Episode 83 of Two Ordinary Cops, Schultzy and Damo take a step back from the front line and reflect on life after policing. From navigating the lingering effects of hypervigilance to the unexpected challenges of judging people by appeara…
Episode 82 – Courts, Critics, and the Cops in Between
In this episode, Schultzy and Damo dive into the often-misunderstood world of the courtroom, exploring the complicated relationship between frontline policing, public perception, and the justice system. They unpack the feedback cops cop — f…
Episode 81 - OC Spray, Red Tape & the Politics of Common Sense.
In this episode, Schultzy and Damo dive into the legalisation of OC spray in the NT, drawing on the real-life experiences of cops in Western Australia, where it’s already been legal for a couple of years. Schultzy then shares a story about …
Episode 80 – Auxiliaries, Ex-Mil, and Beers on the Bar
In this episode, the Two Ordinary Cops shine a light on the unsung legends of policing — the police auxiliaries. From the calm voices behind the radio to the rock-solid support in the watch house, Damo and Schultzy reflect on the vital role…
Episode 79 – From Cop to Accused to Airborne: Jarrod Michael’s Journey
From growing up idolising his VicPol father to being arrested and acquitted twice, Jarrod Michael's story is one of grit, loss, redemption—and altitude. In this episode, the Two Ordinary Cops dive deep into Jarrod’s short but impactful poli…
Episode 78 – From Courtroom to Coroner: That’s Not a Finding, That’s a Stitch-Up of Zach Rolfe
The coronial inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker has made headlines around the world — but was it really about the death, or about bringing down Zach Rolfe? In this explosive episode, Schultzy and Damo discuss the fallout, questionin…
Episode 77 – When Your Son Wears the Uniform: A Mother’s Perspective
In this episode, the Two Ordinary Cops sit down with a very special guest—Schultzy’s mum, Liz. From guarding evidence in the red dirt of the Northern Territory to cooking meals for specialist squads, Liz shares what it’s really like watchin…
Episode 76 – From PTSD to Purpose: Nick White’s Mission to Save First Responders
In this powerful episode, we sit down with former paratrooper and NSW police officer Nick White. From high-risk military service to frontline policing in some of the toughest parts of Sydney, Nick opens up about the trauma that nearly broke…
Episode 75 – From Rookie Mistake to Tactical Expertise in an Interview with Ben Hosking
The Two Ordinary Cops sit down with Ben Hosking — a former frontline cop turned tactical operator — for one of our rawest chats yet. Thrown into chaos straight out of the academy, Hosko faced riots, a taser mishap, and the harsh reality of …
Episode 74 – “Pepper Spray, Protesters and the Porn Channel Surprise”
In Episode 74, the Two Ordinary Cops cover everything from snow in Hernani to sex dungeons in Kununurra. Damo and Schultzy reflect on the Northern Territory's move to legalise capsicum spray for civilians—and debate whether it’s empowering …
Episode 73 – The Bobby Principle: Why Respect for Police Rises—and Falls:
In this episode of Two Ordinary Cops, Damo and Schultzy dive into the complex topic of public respect for police — where it comes from, how it can be lost in a heartbeat, and what it really takes to earn it back. From crowd control at footy…
Episode 72 – Overseas Recruits, Overtime & the Price of a Carton
In Episode 72 – Overseas Recruits, Overtime & the Price of a Carton, the Two Ordinary Cops dive into the real cost of life in the blue. From breaking down how junior cops can crack six figures (if they're willing to sacrifice sleep), to the…
Episode 71 – Boot Camps, Broken Systems, and Blokes Like Mickey
In this episode of Two Ordinary Cops, Damo and Schultzy dive deep into the tough conversations — from viral post turtle banter to the devastating reality behind police suicide and youth crime in the Territory. Damo reflects on the tragic lo…
Episode 70 – From Connie to Commander: Inside the Police Rank Structure.
In Episode 70 of Two Ordinary Cops, Damo and Schultzy break down the police rank structure from the ground up – starting with the everyday duties of a constable all the way to the strategic decisions made at commissioner level. They reflect…
Episode 69 – When the Armour Cracks: An Interview with Queensland Paramedic Peter Vinnicombe
In this powerful episode of Two Ordinary Cops, Damo and Schultzy sit down with Queensland paramedic Peter Vinnicombe to explore the deep and lasting impact of frontline trauma. Peter shares his 17-year journey as a single officer paramedic …
Episode 68 - The Rotten Few
In Episode 68 of Two Ordinary Cops, Damo and Schultzy don’t hold back as they call out the worst of the worst—cops who broke the law and were rightly arrested and jailed by their own colleagues. From stealing drugs out of seizures to the un…
Episode 67 – The Truth About Cops, Corruption & Integrity
This week, Damo and Schutzy aren’t holding back. They’re diving headfirst into one of the most talked-about—and misunderstood—topics in policing: corruption. Sure, the past has its skeletons, but today’s police are under more scrutiny than …
Episode 66 – People in Crisis: Mental Health Intervention
After throwing out a cheeky challenge to our listeners to either send us love or completely roast us, Damo and Schultzy were stoked to get almost 10 messages – with 4 of them giving us a light-hearted ribbing (we can take it!), and the rest…
Episode 65 - Coppers, College & Changing Times
In this episode, Damo and Schultzy dive into the evolving landscape of Family and Domestic Violence (FDV) procedures and legislation. With years of frontline experience between them, the boys share how things have changed—what’s working, wh…
Episode 64 - Remote, Resilient, and Married to a Cop
In this episode of Two Ordinary Cops, Damo and Schultzy sit down with Damo’s wife, Emer, to explore what it’s like being married to a cop—especially in remote communities. Rather than focusing on the job itself, they dive into everyday life…
Episode 63 - Police, Prosecutors & the Courts: Who Decides?
In this episode of Two Ordinary Cops, Schultzy and Damo dive into the complex relationship between police and the courts, unpacking the differences between police bail and court bail. They share real-life stories from the frontline, includi…
Episode 62 - Unfit for Duty? The Recruitment Debate
In Episode 62 of Two Ordinary Cops, Damo and Schultzy dive into a critical issue raised by a recruit— the alarming drop in police recruitment standards. As passionate advocates for frontline services and community safety, they discuss how t…
Episode 61 - Cyclone Alfred
In Episode 61 of the Two Ordinary Cops podcast, Cyclone Alfred, Schultzy and Damo recount their experiences during the landfall of Cyclone Alfred, sharing what unfolded in their respective areas. They discuss the challenges they faced, incl…
Episode 60 - Policing Standards, Cyclone Chaos & A Bit of Controversy
In this episode, Schultzie and Damo chat about their weekend catch-up with police mates, give a shout-out to a listener joining Queensland Police, and dive into the controversy around lowering the standards to join the force—sharing some st…
Episode 59 - Cops Under Fire: The Wild World of Police Complaints
In this episode, Schultzy and Damo, the Two Ordinary Cops, dive into the world of complaints against police. While some are incredibly serious, others, in hindsight, are downright hilarious. They break down how the complaint process works, …
Episode 58 - Flipping Through the Past: The Power of a Cop’s Notebook
In this episode of Two Ordinary Cops, Damo and Schultzy kick off with some well-deserved shout-outs before taking a trip down memory lane, flipping through Damo’s old notebooks and diaries. As they relive past cases, they highlight why good…
Episode 57 - From Bystander to Badge: When Cops Can’t Walk Away
Ever had to call yourself on duty? The Two Ordinary Cops have – and they've got the stories to prove it. From breaking up a fight to dealing with a heated domestic and even facing down an armed offender, they share real moments when they ha…
Episode 56 - Who’s Really in Charge During a Natural Disaster
In this episode, Damo and Schultzy dive into the world of emergency management—what it is, how it works, and why politicians often have little to no say when natural disasters strike. They pull back the curtain on who’s actually running the…
Episode 55 - The Realities of Leadership – Building a Motivated Team
What does it take to create a team that’s motivated, enthusiastic, and ready to get the job done? In this episode, Damo and Schultzy break down the challenges and rewards of leadership—how to inspire your team, keep them engaged, and tackle…
Episode 54 - Complacency, Air Wing, and Fishy Pursuits
In this episode, Schultzy and Damo dive into the topic of complacency in policing—how it creeps into the job, its impact on outcomes, and the lessons they've learned along the way. They share their personal journeys, reflecting on times whe…
Episode 53 - Assault Police Insights
In this episode, Schultzy and Damo kick off with shout-outs and current events before discussing a facility created to support Emergency Services personnel with PTSD. They then dive into the main topic, "Assault Police," exploring the level…
Episode 52 - Police Negotiators
In this episode of Two Ordinary Cops, the hosts take listeners into the fascinating and high-stakes world of police negotiations. Damo shares insights into the specialised training police receive for these critical situations, highlighting …
Episode 51 - Interview with Sergeant Adam Swift
In this episode, the Two Ordinary Cops chat with Sergeant Adam Swift, who serves as both an instructor at the police college and the Vice President of the Northern Territory Police Association. Adam shares his journey into policing, some hu…