PolicingTV

Welcome as we review the year in policing 2022.In partnership with Policing TV, the leading police media channel.

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 fully explore his new career. He has appeared in several series aired on ITV and Netflix and has also appeared in several well know soap dramas. Steve reflects on both careers and sees how they are not dissimilar. Steve’s acting name is Noah Burd, a name he was perhaps destined to own. Find out why.

In this episode we talk to Lieutenant Colonel Will Meddings, 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 the Centre for Army Leadership at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, a small organisation designed to improve leadership across the British Army. Around the same time he also set up The Army Leader, a leadership development website sharing practical leadership advice for junior leaders. It now has over 150,000 visitors a year.Will discusses the role of the Army leader and the delicate skill of balancing the task, the team and the individual and also discuss the differences between the armed services and the police. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.

In this episode we look at leadership and the associated topics of wellbeing within the police service.The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel

In this episode we sit down around the virtual fire and discuss our own police antidotes and those stories that have gone down in policing folklore.  The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel

In this episode we consider the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. The rule book for police since 1984 after the previous decade saw some massive miscarriages of justice. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel

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’t the real story. Richard wrote an anonymous blog called The Night Jack in which he described the realities of policing. He won the Orwell prize for writing and donated his prize to police charities. You would have thought that would be a reason to celebrate, however The Times newspaper hacked into Richard’s emails and outed him as the author. Disciplinary action followed by his employer. Richard took the newspaper to court and eventually won his case. Richard looks back philosophically on events and we discover that it still hasn’t  dampened his love of writing.The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel

In this episode we consider the recent report by the HMIC on bad practises within the UK police service. It makes grim reading. What makes it worse it that it is not politically driven but based on solid verifiable evidence.  What is clear is that the Chief Constables have to own this report and deliver on it.The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel

Policing TV brings you a new Podcast from Award Winning author Iain DonnellyMaggie Oliver worked in serious crime investigations and helped to expose the serious sexual abuse of vulnerable children that had been going on for many years in Greater Manchester and most notably in Rochdale. Maggie eventually turned whistleblower in frustration that she was not being listened to, and ultimately decided to resign from the job she loved. She has become one of the most prominent campaigners against child sexual abuse in the UK, and she was the founder of the Maggie Oliver foundation.  Originally released on 21st September 2022

Policing TV brings you a new Podcast from Award Winning author Iain DonnellyThis week was a very weird (but enjoyable) episode, because Iain interviewed Steve Donnelly, his brother. Steve did 15 years in the Met police doing a lot of difficult and dangerous jobs before retraining in law and becoming a successful criminal barrister. He followed the IRA as a surveillance officer and was one of Salman Rushdie's protection officers during the period of time when he was at a very high risk of assassination by the Iranian regime.First Aired Aug 22

In this episode we consider the current state of policing in the UK and we make no apology of the fact that we think it’s bleak. Of course that’s just our opinion as are the suggestions we respectfully offer up to the new Prime Minister.The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel

Andy Rhodes is the former Chief Constable of the Lancashire Constabulary and the national lead for wellbeing for the police services within England and Wales.Recorded over Christmas 2016 and in a remarkably candid interview he shares his vision of the future, where the police service is at the moment and some of his own battles that have shaped him into the leader he is today.A fascinating insight into a senior leader within senior management.References: www.strongyoungminds.org www.lancashire.police.ukThe "Buzz" mentioned in this podcast is an internal intranet chat board for the employee's of Lancashire Constabulary to share their views and discuss topics.The Thin Blue Mind podcast in association with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.

The Lancashire Violence Reduction Network 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 Constabulary's initiative to tackle crime through a trauma informed approach. Joining Sue is Rose Latham and Daniel Wolstencroft, who through their lived experiences formed Empower the Invisible Project. Borne from the ideas of people with lived experience of childhood sexual abuse who wanted to change the lack of support and also the lack of understanding from some professionals about how trauma in childhood in particular childhood sexual abuse impacts on the life of those affected.

In this episode we continue looking at the penal system and discuss whether the death penalty has a place in modern society. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel

Policing TV brings you a new Podcast from award winning author Iain Donnelly How do the best police officers think? Interview with Professor Jason Roach.First aired on 23rd May 2022

Policing TV brings you a new Podcast from award winning author Iain Donnelly Jaiye Warwick-Saunders was the first openly gay black officer in the Met. What could possibly go wrong? Jaiye describes his career in this episode.First aired on 11th July 2022

In this episode we will be looking at prisons, what is their purpose and are they fit for the job?The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.

In a break from the usual discussions Dave Thomas speaks to Jackie Malton, a no-nonsense girl from Leicestershire who joined the police force in the 1970s when women were kept apart from the men. She became the model for Lynda La Plant’s character DI Jane Tennison. 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 in the Metropolitan Police, where sexism and homophobia were rife.She is joined by former Detective Chief Superintendent Sue Clarke. Both women, cut from the same cloth but from different generations. They compare their own experiences of policing. Often funny, sometimes sad but never with regret. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.

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.

On Sunday 18th September 2022, it will be ten years since Greater Manchester Police officers Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone were murdered in a gun and grenade ambush after they were lured to a house in Manchester, in response to a false report of a burglary. As part of his Policing Friendship Tour, Policing Insight and PolicingTV Publisher recently met Greater Manchester Police Federation Chair Lee Broadbent, to remember those two officers. Bernard and Lee also discuss the broader challenges of frontline policing, the impact of police pension changes on officer morale, and the state of play in Greater Manchester Police under a relatively new Chief Constable.  

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.

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.

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 Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.

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.

Policing TV brings you a new Podcast from award winning author Iain Donnelly How are extreme threat counter-terrorism operations managed today. Interview with Warren Barlow QPMFirst aired on 2nd May 2022

Policing Insight and PolicingTV Publisher Bernard Rix recently met Chief Superintendent Phil Davies, Greater Manchester Police's recently appointed District Commander for Tameside.Whilst "on foot patrol" around Ashton-under-Lyme within the Tameside District, Phil and Bernard discuss his new policing challenge within Tameside; his experiences and learning from his time as Greater Manchester Police's Director of Information; and how the new(ish) Chief Constable is exerting a considerable positive influence on the force. 

Keith Fraser has spent much of how working life trying to stop young people getting into trouble - and dealing with the aftermath when they do. He spent over 30 years in the police - first at the Met and then in the West Midlands where, as a superintendent, he became one of the most senior Black officers in the country.Keith was behind an innovative, prevention-based approach to tackling gang crime and has used his experience at the Youth Justice Board, after taking over as Chair in April 2020. He is also involved in the inaugural ‘Inspire Justice Awards’ which are designed to celebrate the contribution of criminal justice support workers, such as call handlers, data analysts and training staff.In the latest edition of ‘Talking Crime’, Policing TV’s Chief Presenter, Danny Shaw, spoke to Keith Fraser about youth violence, discrimination in the justice system - and how he got into policing:

In this episode Dave Thomas interviews Mike Barton, the former Chief Constable of Durham Police. Mike has been an advocate of having a sensible debate on drugs and whilst chief, Durham became the top performing force in the country despite the austerity funding cuts. It’s a fascinating insight into the man.In radio NightJack , Richard Horton casts a sceptical eye over the Home Office’s recent call for a review into Police Productivity.The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV the leading policing media channel

Policing TV brings you a new Podcast from award winning author Iain Donnelly Undercover policing. Interview with Shay Doyle, author of Deep Cover. Shay describes how he infiltrated some of the most violent gangs in the UK. First aired on the 9th May

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 leading policing media channel.

When she took up her role in 2021, Lucy D’Orsi made history: the first female Chief Constable of British Transport Police (BTP).The move came as a surprise to many because the force, which is responsible for policing railways and train stations across England, Scotland and Wales, has traditionally been seen as appealing more to men, with one of the lowest representations of female officers in the UK.However, its new leader is determined to change that. In fact, the former Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner has a series of plans for BTP. She wants to reform security on the rail network, through better coordination and more effective use of phone data, drones and CCTV cameras. And, with the Premier League season approaching, she has clear ideas about how to combat disorder on train journeys to football matches

Policing TV brings you a new Podcast Series from Iain Donnelly :This episode marked the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War. Iain interviews Falklands veteran ex-Ch Supt Adrian Tudway.  First aired on 16th May

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

Policing TV brings you a new Podcast Series from Iain Donnelly :This episode marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Royal Ulster Constabulary - Iain interview  Stephen White, ex-RUC ACC and Chair of RUC George Cross Association. First aired on 4th July 2022

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing have published a new race strategy for the police service in England and Wales. Launching the Police Race Action Plan in May, the NPCC said it committed Chief Constables to establishing an "anti-racist police service and to explain or reform race disparities”. The Plan, which will be finalised in December after consultation, is subject to external scrutiny and oversight by an independent panel, known as ISOB, which says: "The focus of the Plan is on the experiences and concerns of Black people due to the starkness of the racial disparities present in policing's interactions with Black communities."ISOB’s chair is a barrister, Abimbola Johnson, who practices from the London chambers, 25 Bedford Row. In the latest edition of ’Talking Crime’, Policing TV’s Chief Presenter, Danny Shaw, spoke to Abi about keeping the Police Race Action Plan on track, institutional racism in the service, Black representation among officers - and how she came to be apply for this crucial role.

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.

Policing TV brings you a new Podcast Series from Iain Donnelly :In this episode, Iain has a fascinating conversation with Bob Gallagher MBE. Bob has had an incredible career, firstly in the Royal Navy, very nearly losing his life in the Falklands War of 1982. He went on to become one of the most experienced crime scene investigators in the UK. Bob began his career working on the Harold Shipman serial killer investigation and ended it as the lead crime scene investigator for the Manchester Arena attack that killed 22 people. ***WARNING: This episode contains extremely graphic and potentially upsetting material***First published 6th June 2022

By late February 2020 it had become clear to the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) that UK policing needed a dedicated co-ordination centre to deal with the coronavirus crisis. NPCC Chair Martin Hewitt became the ‘Gold' commander with Assistant Chief Constable Owen Weatherill as ’Silver’ of an operation that was codenamed ’Talla'.  Over the following weeks and months the pair worked flat out on Operation Talla, drawing up guidance for officers, interpreting and disseminating constantly-changing Covid laws and leading efforts to procure personal protective equipment (PPE). In this edition of ‘Talking Crime’, Policing TV’s Chief Presenter, Danny Shaw, speaks to ACC Weatherill about the unprecedented police operation - and the Talla Awards Ceremony which recognised the many officers and staff who gave their all during the pandemic:

“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 leading policing media channel.”

Policing TV brings you a new Podcast Series from Iain Donnelly :This week he interviews Tony Long, the ex-Metropolitan Police firearms officer, who in 2015, was cleared of murdering Azelle Rodney in the course of a police surveillance operation in 2005. Three firearms were found in the car. The internal Met Professional Standards Department and the Independent Police Complaints Commission ruled that Tony had acted correctly, however, after a high-profile public inquiry, Tony was then charged with murder almost ten years after the original incident. As if that wasn't stressful enough, the tabloids branded Tony "The Mets own Serial Killer", on the basis that Rodney was the fifth person that Tony had shot, and the third person that he had shot dead during his career in the firearms department.First Broadcast: 22nd April 2021( https://www.tjfbook.com/podcast ) 

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 Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.

Policing TV brings you a new Podcast Series from Iain Donnelly :In the second and final part of his interview with Adrian, (one of the two surveillance officers who followed Jean Charles onto the Tube train at Stockwell where he was shot), Adrian describes the immediate aftermath of the incident and the impact on him and his colleagues in the days, weeks, months and years after this horrific incident.First Published 26th April 2022

Policing TV brings you a new Podcast Series from Iain Donnelly :In this episode he speaks to one of the two Special Branch surveillance officers who were with Jean Charles De Menezes on a tube train in July 2005, when he was shot dead by Met police firearms officers, mistakenly believing that he was a suicide bomber. This officer has never been interviewed publicly before and in this episode of the podcast, he describes the lead-up to the shooting in great detail as events unfolded.First Published : 26th April 2022

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 college of policing and we thank him for his generous time.The Thin Blue Mind podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.

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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 merits and downfalls. Steve Bradshaw will also be looking at the role of a Police advisor to TV and film in 'The Acting Inspector'.The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.

“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 replied. The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.”

When Dame Cressida Dick resigned as Metropolitan Police Commissioner in February all eyes turned to another Dame - Lynne Owens, the former Director General of the National Crime Agency (NCA). Dame Lynne spent 27 years in policing, at the Met, Kent and Surrey, where she served for four years as Chief Constable, before joining the NCA in 2016.  She retired last October to undergo treatment for breast cancer, from which she has now recovered, and was widely seen as a frontrunner to be Commissioner before deciding, at the last minute, not to apply.  In her first interview since then, Dame Lynne tells Policing TV’s Chief Presenter, Danny Shaw, about the decision and why she hasn’t ruled out a return to Scotland Yard in the future. She discusses her concerns about possible job cuts at the NCA amid uncertainty at the top of the organisation, the challenges of tackling illicit finance - and why the structure of policing needs a radical overhaul. 

Hello and welcome to The Thin Blue Mind. “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 now a contributor to Policing Tv will give his own views on the matter.The Thin Blue Line podcast in partnership with Policing TV, the leading policing media channel.”