Two Ordinary Cops

When Queensland Police Dog Squad Officer in Charge Joel Davidson first joined the police at just 19 years old, he never imagined the journey ahead. From proactively hunting offenders on the streets of Toowoomba to leading the Mount Isa Dog Squad, Joel shares what it really takes to become a police dog handler, how these remarkable dogs save lives, and why they're one of policing's most valuable resourc...

In Episode 131, Schultzy and Damo tackle one of the biggest questions facing modern policing: at what point does doing your job become a crime?

Using the recent conviction of NSW Police Sergeant Ben Bryant as the catalyst, they explore personal responsibility, accountability, police pursuits, youth offending, sentencing, and whether the justice system is shifting responsibility away...

Before Two Ordinary Cops ever had a name, one of the titles we seriously considered was The Real Northern Territory. It only seems fitting that 130 episodes later, we finally tell that story.

The Northern Territory is unlike anywhere else in Australia. It's a place of breathtaking landscapes, unforgettable characters, incredible mateship, and communities that leave a lasting mark on...

The conversation around Australia's Special Forces has never been more relevant.

After watching the powerful documentary Bravery and Betrayal, Schultzy and Damo take an honest look at the extraordinary courage of the men who served in Afghanistan, the sacrifices made by their families, and the toll that service takes long after the fighting ends.

From daily ...

In this powerful episode, the boys sit down with Queensland policing legend Keith Banks. From working deep undercover and helping build Queensland’s early tactical policing capability, to facing some of the most confronting moments of his career, Keith shares the lessons that shaped his life both in and out of uniform.

Drawing on experiences from his books and years on the fro...

In this special episode, Schultzy's partner, Miriam Leask, joins the podcast to share her firsthand account of living through the devastating Christchurch earthquakes. From the terrifying moments when the earth shook beneath her feet to the long road of recovery that followed, Miriam provides a powerful and emotional insight into one of New Zealand's darkest chapters.

Miriam reflects on the incredible support provided by police, em...

This week, Schultzy and Damo reflect on their experience at the Queensland Police Union Council Conference and the incredible people they met along the way. From frontline coppers and union representatives to those who continue to serve despite significant personal challenges, this episode is a reminder of the strength, resilience and camaraderie that exists within the policing family.

The boys share stories from behind the scenes ...

In this special live episode, Schultzy and Damo take the stage at the Queensland Police Union Council Conference to share their experiences from policing in some of the toughest and most remote parts of Australia.

The boys discuss the lasting impact of the Zach Rolfe case on Northern Territory policing, the importance of strong leadership, mateship, and looking after your people, and the challenges many officers face both during an...

In this episode of Two Ordinary Cops, Schultzy and Damo sit down with exercise physiologist Jack Woods from to discuss the powerful connection between exercise, routine and mental health recovery for first responders.

Jack shares his experience working with police, ambos and other emergency services members suffering from PTSD, depression and burnout, explaining how small achievable goals, accountability and physical activity can g...

For 23 years, Lyn Kowalski worked behind the scenes in the Queensland Police Service — but as you’ll hear in this episode, the job was anything but “just admin.”

From homicide investigations and child protection cases to supporting detectives through some of the darkest moments of their careers, Lyn shares the side of policing the public rarely sees. The long hours, the emotional toll, the black humour that ...

In this episode, we come to you live from the National Suicide Prevention Conference, where we sit down with Nick White and Krista Hawke to talk about what’s really missing in the mental health space for first responders.

Nick shares how Bellator Fortitudinum has grown from a small support network into a nationwide charity helping current and former first responders find connection, purpose, and support after the job. From li...

In this episode, we reflect on the tragic events out of Alice Springs and the loss of Kumunjayi Little Baby.

We break down what actually happens during a major police investigation—from the initial response, search efforts, and escalation, through to arrest and the long road to prosecution.

It’s a confronting conversation, but an important one. We talk about the balance between emotion and evidence, why process matters,...

In this episode, we break down the reality behind the Northern Territory’s liquor laws—why they exist, how they differ from place to place, and what it’s actually like policing them on the ground.

From permit systems and dry communities to the chaos that can unfold when alcohol floods back in, we share firsthand experiences from the job that most people would never see or fully understand. We also tackle the bigge...

In this episode, the boys take a closer look at the high-profile arrest of Ben Roberts-Smith — and ask the question many in policing are thinking: why was it done that way?

Schultzy and Damo break down the different types of arrests, including “arrest by appointment”, and explain why it’s often the safest and most practical option for cooperative individuals.

They also dive into the realities of policing tha...

This week, the Two Ordinary Cops step into one of the most talked-about and complex stories in Australia — the arrest of Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith.

Drawing on their policing experience, Schultzy and Damo unpack the realities of high-risk environments, the pressures placed on those who serve, and the difficulty of judging decisions made in situations most of us will never truly understand. They discuss due pro...

Leadership in policing — everyone talks about it, but what actually makes a good leader?

In this episode, the Two Ordinary Cops welcome back fan favourite Andy Bedwell for one of the most thought-provoking conversations yet. While the episode starts with some reflections and real-world examples, it quickly builds into a powerful discussion about leadership, decision-making, and what’s really going wrong — and righ...

This week, the boys sit down with one of their closest mates and one of the best leaders they ever worked under — former Detective Sergeant Andy Bedwell.

From the wild days of Catherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs, Andy joins Schultzy and Damo to relive the jobs that shaped them — from homicide investigations and remote policing to the camaraderie that helped them survive some of the toughest moments of their caree...

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 so...

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...