The Plodcast

*Content Warning* discussions of death of police members. "You never forget the day your loved one graduates from the Academy." These are the words Carmel Arthur OAM spoke on National Police Remembrance Day in 2022; a solemn ritual of remembrance for police members, their families, colleagues and friends. Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller, Carmel's late husband, were ambushed and fatally shot during a 1998 stake-out at a potential robbery target in suburban Moorabbin. What came after this was a period of transformation and rebuilding for Carmel that can only be attributed to the very resilience of the human spirit; the ability to live again after loss. Prior to joining the Post Sentence Authority, in 2018 Carmel had a distinguished career holding key roles in both the public and private sectors. She is vastly experienced in the criminal justice system, knowledge she has gained over the past 20 years working with the courts, Corrections Victoria and Victoria Police. In 2015 Carmel was awarded “The most outstanding female administrator/practitioner” at the Australasian Council for Women and Policing Excellence Awards, and in In 2021, was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in recognition of her service to the law. As a victim of crime, Carmel brings personal and insightful perspectives to the operation of the criminal justice system through her lived experience. She has worked extensively with many victims of crime to advocate for more inclusive and engaging treatment of victims and their families. She is a firm believer in the giving of unwavering support to those whose suffering was acquired on the job - that "no one can be left behind", and that in our remembrance, "our memory of the person, the life, the professional and the legacy they leave behind – will never die."

Content Warning - this episode contains graphic content that may be alarming to some listeners and includes discussions on death, sexual assault and child sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised. Narelle Fraser was a member of Victoria Police for 27 years, 15 of those as a Detective ‘doing time’ at the Rape and Homicide Squads and Missing Persons Unit, but dedicating much of her career to investigating child abuse and sex offences. She worked on high profile investigations including Anna & Gracie Sharpe (by ‘Mornington Monster’ John Sharpe), Margaret & Paul Wales-King (the Society Murders), Maria Korp (the body in the boot case), the 2002 Bali Bombing, horrific infanticide investigations, Geoff Clarke (the then ATSIC Commissioner), The Ascot Vale Rapist and many more. She has stared death and trauma in the face throughout her career. However, Narelle’s career was cut short when she succumbed to PTSD, retiring in 2012 and reinventing herself as a public speaker and occasional guest on the Australian True Crime Podcast. Narelle now hosts her own podcast, Narelle Fraser Interviews, where she examines the human side of the impact of crime in a compelling and emotive series of podcasts.

This week Carla welcomes back clinical counsellor Shannon Hood and PVV's Rebecca Lynch to chat all things post-traumatic growth and continue an important conversation on the mental health of first responders. Shannon specialises in critical incident response and trauma - mainly with Aussie blokes dealing with issues including relationships, parenting, vocation, and addictions. We couldn't think of a better way to close off Season 1 of The Plodcast, and would like to thank you for all your support and praise so far. We have exciting plans for Season 2 and can't wait to share them with you.

*Content Warning* - this episode contains a discussion on suicide. Listener discretion is advised.  This week Deputy Commissioner of Victoria Police Neil Paterson sits down with Carla to reflect on his life in policing, the importance of mental health support for police officers and veterans, and where we might be headed in our pursuit for better wellbeing. 

This week Carla takes a break from hosting, passing the podcasting baton over to PVV's Rebecca Lynch for an interview with registered counsellor Shannon Hood, breaking down the intricacies of trauma and cumulative trauma. Shannon is clinical counsellor specialising in critical incident response and trauma - mainly with Aussie blokes dealing with issues including relationships, parenting, vocation, and addictions. If there's any Plodcast you should tune into, it's this one.

*Content Warning* - this episode contains a discussion on the Eastern Freeway tragedy of April 22, 2020 as well as general discussion around death. Listener discretion is advised.  To Drew Mellor, every knock at the door to the family of a fallen police officer is an opportunity to give the greatest level of intimacy there is. As a senior Police Chaplain and a former ED nurse, Drew has been at the epicentre of some of Victoria's most harrowing tragedies including the Eastern Freeway tragedy of 2020, which took the lives of four police officers. Drew's message is simple; to listen well, stay true to your values, and, above all, respect the sanctity of a families safe space on the worst day of their lives. 

*Content Warning - depiction and discussion of suicide* Mark Thomas was a ways into his policing career before he was injured with post-traumatic stress. He’d been to scenes of suicides, drug overdoses, and deaths; but it was just one scene in 2003 that would change him forever. In February of 2013, Mark was hospitalised and formally diagnosed with post-traumatic stress. It was this experience at his lowest point that led him to create the Code 9 Foundation: a charitable foundation providing support for current and veteran professional first responders and Triple Zero operators who live with mental health conditions that often result from their service to the community. If you are struggling and have suicidal thoughts, please know you are not alone and help is available. Please contact any one of the following organisations: Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14 This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also chat online with the Lifeline support service, available 24/7. Suicide Crisis Text Line – 0477 13 11 14 For those who feel more comfortable with texting rather than talking to someone. Confidential one-to-one text with a trained Lifeline Crisis Supporter Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636 This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also chat online with the beyondblue support service every day from 3:00 PM until 12:00 AM (AEDST).

A daughter to a shearer, a mother, a roustabout with wanderlust and PVV’s resident social worker from the wheatbelt town of Warracknabeal: this is the story of Rebecca Lynch. Bec’s work has taken her all over the globe; from Alice Springs, to London, to Scotland, to Tanzania teaching children English and across multiple courts and prisons. One thing has always remained the same, however; you can take Bec out of Warracknabeal, but you can’t take Warracknabeal out of Bec. Get support: https://policeveteransvic.org.au/get-support/ Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue – 1300 224 636 Headspace – 1800 650 890

*Content Warning* Mentions of domestic abuse and death in this episode.  Keith Banks is a firm believer in being careful with what you wish for. Joining the Queensland Police Force at 17 with a dream of being a 'supercop', Keith would give two decades of his life to policing; a life lived mostly deep undercover, busting some of Queensland's most notorious criminals. His time in the job saw him flourish in criminal investigations, special weapons, bomb disposal, counter-terrorism and criminal intelligence. What he didn't anticipate, however, was being left broken by a job he loved, racked with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress that would take years to tackle. Now a published author of two bestselling books detailing his life in the job, Keith has found a way to draw on his experiences; all in pursuit of better understanding the minds of police veterans, and what they might struggle with.

John Stubbs' secret weapon as a cop was never really his brawn, but his brains. Forever known as the cop with the gift of the gab, 'Stubbsy' cut his teeth at Broadmeadows and what would soon follow was a decorated career with plenty of hilarious stories along the way. John continued to use the art of persuasion when he left the job in 1993 to pursue real estate and property development.