This is the final of a two-part interview with Queensland Police Detective Sonya Leeding. Sonya's husband, Damien - also a Queensland Detective - was shot and killed in May 2011 during a botched armed robbery. Since that fateful night, Sonya's life has never been the same. The Detective Senior Constable's written a book, Blue Widow by Ocean Reeve Publishing. Sonya talks on The Crime Couch about her life after the murder of her precious husband; including her failed relationships, wrestle with the booze, how she's coped with the grief - and eventually has come to terms with what happened that n ..read more

The 29th of May 2011 is a date that changed Queensland Police Detective Sonya Leeding's world forever. This was the night her husband, Damien - also a Queensland Detective - was shot and killed during a botched armed robbery. Since that fateful night, Sonya's life has never been the same. The Detective Senior Constable's written a book, Blue Widow by Ocean Reeve Publishing. Blue Widow is a ballsy, extremely candid and brilliant read about what Sonya's endured. It includes her failed relationships, wrestle with the booze, how she's coped with the grief - and eventually has come to terms with wh ..read more

Annette in't Hout is one of three fulltime Senior Chaplains working with Victoria Police. There's also about 85 volunteer Chaplains across the state. This year the Victoria Police Chaplaincy commemorates it's 50-year anniversary of making a difference to the men and women in blue. Annette grew up in Griffith, NSW with Barbara McKay as her Sunday school teacher. She wanted to pursue a career in textile forensics and found herself working in an industrial textiles factory, being a fulltime Mum and running a lingerie party plan scheme! Her calling began in 2008 at a Baptist Church in Geelong and ..read more

Tim Egan is not your average police member. The retired AFP Superintendent has served 34 years in three continents. Before joining the Northern Territory Police, Tim was a mine worker, timber millhand, builder's laborer and bank clerk. His role "in the job" proved just as varied. The 85-year-old worked in some of Australia's most remote police stations, as an Alice Springs Prosecutor and an Inspector in Darwin during Cyclone Tracey before joining the Custom Department's Narcotics Bureau and working with Scotland Yard and Victoria Police on joint taskforce investigations.  Contains Snappy ..read more

Sheree Moore still hears the gunshots from the Queen Street shootings involving killer Frank Vitkovic. It's not something you ever forget, she says. Sheree was on duty in December 1987 when the Queen Street massacres took place. The former Sergeant and Crime Scene Investigator worked in suburban stations, at Dandenong, and did temp duties at the CIB, AIS and Drug Squad. She set up "Project Clarendon" which was a one stop shop for crime reporting and forensics in property crime. After 37 years "in the job", Sheree has just retired. Contains Snappy @2021 performed Jonathan Boyle with music writt ..read more

Well, it's the end of Season 3 on The Crime Couch. This is a compilation of the 39 episodes during 2023. You'll hear from former Detective Senior Constable Carl Stella, retired members Colleen Woolley, Graeme Simpfendorfer, Val Smith, Highway Patrol Senior Constable Alex Prestney and true crime author Megan Norris. Sadly, this year marked the passing of several retired members like Detective Sergeant Brian "The Skull" Murphy, who you'll also hear from in this episode. I want to thank everyone who took a leap of faith and sat with me this year on The Crime Couch. It continues to be a real pleas ..read more

Working in Victoria Police's Major Crime Squad was not for sissies, according to Ian "Doss" Dosser. He recalls going through doors with a nine-pound door-key and loaded firearms when chasing armed robbers.  The former Detective Chief Inspector initially worked at the usual round of suburban CIB's including the Heidelberg Crime Cars, before joining "The Majors". Doss also worked in the Homicide Squad. He was Officer in Charge of the Armed Robbery, Arson, Asian, Stolen Motor Vehicle and Racing Livestock Squads. Doss also worked extensively in Internal Affairs, the Police Association and wit ..read more

Wendy Cowling is a former Victoria Police Sergeant with 34 years under her belt. She began at the Russell Street Policewomen's Division and had mentors like Joan Paffett, Sandy Langlands, Myrene Purcell and Jill Wood.  She was an operational policewoman most of her career; gazetted at Cheltenham General Duties and worked in General Duties throughout Melbourne's south-east.  Wendy was promoted to Sergeant at the Police Schools program, a member of the Victorian Road Safety Education Reference Group and the State Coordinator of the VPYC program. She's also a life member of the Past and ..read more

Well, 2023 has been a big year on The Crime Couch. We’ve featured some intriguing, fascinating current and retired police members, and other interesting individuals. This is the last of a 2-parter, featuring “The Best of” my interviewees this year; including former Detective Chief Inspector Ian "Doss" Dosser, retired Detective Sergeant Geoff Shepherd, retired Superintendent Geoff Tulloch, former Emergency Services Group Dog Squad boss and military cop Kevin "Kev" Collister, Air Wing Observer and DVI specialist Senior Sergeant Ed Pollard, retired Detective Leading Senior Constable Trevor Collin ..read more

2023 has been a huge year on The Crime Couch. We've interviewed the most intriguing and fascinating current and former police members and interesting individuals. This is part 1 of a 2 parter; "The Best of The Crime Couch" featuring some of the females I've interviewed this year, such as former Victoria Police Detective Christine "Chris" McIntyre, retired member Senior Sergeant Janet Low, former Sergeant Wendy Cowling, former Inspector Lilian "Lil" Irwin, Detective Senior Sergeant Joy Murphy, former NSW Police Detective Senior Constable Esther McKay and retired member Maureen Blue. Contains Sn ..read more