The Crime Couch with Rochelle Jackson

"Fighting the good fight"

Julie "Jules" McAlister is the second veteran police officer to be given a Police Assistance dog through the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation.

The black Labrador Charlie-Kane has made a major difference to her life. And Julie's been through a lot; including a PTSD diagnosis, being forced to retire "ill-health", a suicide attempt and getting accidentally shot with a shotgun at a rifle range. In March 2023, Julie was officially recognised for her service with Victoria Police, given an apology, her badge was given back to her "retired" and she was handed a certificate of service.

Contains Snappy @2021 performed Jonathan Boyle with music written by Jonathan Boyle, courtesy of Premium Beat.

Post-production by Rob Johnson from On Replay www.onreplay.com.au and acknowledgement to Stephen Peters for his assistance and support. 

Thanks for listening. Please take the time to rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. We'd love to hear your thoughts, and it makes it easier for the rest of the podcast world to find The Crime Couch.

"Shots fired - part 2"

This is final episode of a two-part special featuring former Victoria Police Special Operations Group member, Jim Venn. 

He was "in the job" for 24 years, also working in the Major Crime Squad, the BCI, Firearms Operational Survival Training Unit and as a Staff Officer.

After leaving Victoria Police, Jim ran his own investigative consultancy business. He investigated the ACT 2003 bushfires and led a major inquiry into bullying and misconduct at the Canberra Institute of Technology.

Although police members don't like to bang their own drum, Jim's received a Valor Medal, a National Medal, several citations and a City of Melbourne award. Jim was involved in the state's major criminal investigations including the fatal shooting of gun nut and Neo-Nazi Thomas "Tommy" Messinger.

Contains Snappy @2021 performed Jonathan Boyle with music written by Jonathan Boyle, courtesy of Premium Beat.

Post-production by Rob Johnson from On Replay www.onreplay.com.au and acknowledgement to Stephen Peters for his assistance and support. 

Thanks for listening. Please take the time to rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. We'd love to hear your thoughts, and it makes it easier for the rest of the podcast world to find The Crime Couch.

"Shots fired - part 1"

Jim Venn, registered number 17909 is not your average former Victoria Police member. The highly decorated officer was a Special Operations Group member and qualified as a bomb technician, marksman and in close quarter combat. 

Jim spent 24 years in Victoria Police, working in the Major Crime Squad, the BCI, Firearms Operational Unit and as a Staff Officer. After leaving Victoria Police, he ran his own consultancy business employed as the Chief Investigator for the ACT 2003 bushfires and the ACT Government.

He was involved with the State's most dangerous crooks including the capture of escapee and armed robber Ian John Peter Steele and the shooting of gun nut and Neo-Nazi Thomas "Tommy" Messenger.  Jim's been involved in Mick Drury's Witness Protection, Mad Max, the Russell Street bombing, the Queen Street Massacre, the Turkish Consulate bombing and the Tynan/Eyre shootings to name a few. This is part one of a two-part special featuring Jim.

Contains Snappy @2021 performed Jonathan Boyle with music written by Jonathan Boyle, courtesy of Premium Beat.

Post-production by Rob Johnson from On Replay www.onreplay.com.au and acknowledgement to Stephen Peters for his assistance and support. 

Thanks for listening. Please take the time to rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. We'd love to hear your thoughts, and it makes it easier for the rest of the podcast world to find The Crime Couch.

"Thanks to a small goods incident"

The Crime Couch - series 5 is back! Lex de Man has just retired from his CEO role at Victoria Police Legacy, but his career in the emergency services isn't as easily defined. He began as a 17-year-old volunteer CFA firefighter before joining Victoria Police in 1978. Lex worked on a taskforce with support from the FBI and UK Police on "The Family" investigation finishing as a Detective Senior Sergeant. He's been employed with the CFA and even served as the Mayor of the Shire of Nullumbik for several terms. 

Contains Snappy @2021 performed Jonathan Boyle with music written by Jonathan Boyle, courtesy of Premium Beat.

Post-production by Rob Johnson from On Replay www.onreplay.com.au and acknowledgement to Stephen Peters for his assistance and support. 

Thanks for listening. Please take the time to rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. We'd love to hear your thoughts, and it makes it easier for the rest of the podcast world to find The Crime Couch.

"The Crime Couch 2024 compilation - the end of season 4"

It's the end of season 4 on The Crime Couch and what a year it has been! This is a compilation of the 20 episodes during 2024. You'll hear former AFP Superintendent Tim Egan, former Victoria Police Sergeant Sheree Moore recall the Queen Street shootings, former Deputy Chief Magistrate Bob Kumar reflect on his career, Queensland Detective Sonya Leeding remember the night her life was changed forever, Victoria Police Sergeant Barry Randall talk about Operation Soul Surf, former Victoria Police Deb Keogh, former Victoria Police officer Susan McLean now a cyber-security expert and Victoria Police's Senior Chaplain Jim Jung reflect on the year that was. 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 privilege to hear your stories. I look forward to you joining me again in 2025 on The Crime Couch.

 Contains Snappy @2021 performed Jonathan Boyle with music written by Jonathan Boyle, courtesy of Premium Beat.

Post-production by Pete Dillon @www.fearlesscollective.com.au and acknowledgement to Stephen Peters for his assistance and support. 

Thanks for listening. Please take the time to rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. We'd love to hear your thoughts, and it makes it easier for the rest of the podcast world to find The Crime Couch.

"Boots on the street"

Wendy Cowling was 20 years old and working at a supermarket when she applied to join Victoria Police. The former Victoria Police Sergeant spent 34 years in the job starting in the Russell Street Policewomen's Division. Here she was mentored by highly qualified officers like Joan Paffett, Sandy Langlands, Myrene Purcell and Jill Wood.

Wendy was an operational "boots on the street" policewoman most of her career; gazetted at Cheltenham General Duties and worked in General Duties in 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 Present Women Police Association of Victoria.

Contains Snappy @2021 performed Jonathan Boyle with music written by Jonathan Boyle, courtesy of Premium Beat.

Post-production by Pete Dillon @www.fearlesscollective.com.au and acknowledgement to Stephen Peters for his assistance and support. 

Thanks for listening. Please take the time to rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. We'd love to hear your thoughts, and it makes it easier for the rest of the podcast world to find The Crime Couch.

'Blue ribbon service"

Neil Soullier's had a diverse career, he's worked in retail as the National Sales Manager for Tandy Electronics. He was the road manager for the Westfield Run that featured gumboot jogger Cliffy Young. 

He's currently the General Manager for an international golf championship; the Australian Master of the Amateurs. Neil's always had a passion for community services and the not-for-profit sector. He's been awarded an OAM for his community service and the Centenary Medal for significant service to society.

But it's Neil's current role as the CEO of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation where he really makes a difference. 

Contains Snappy @2021 performed Jonathan Boyle with music written by Jonathan Boyle, courtesy of Premium Beat.

Post-production by Pete Dillon @www.fearlesscollective.com.au and acknowledgement to Stephen Peters for his assistance and support. 

Thanks for listening. Please take the time to rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. We'd love to hear your thoughts, and it makes it easier for the rest of the podcast world to find The Crime Couch.

"Staying upright"

90-year-old Geoff Tulloch is a former Superintendent with Victoria Police.

He spent 32 years in the job and worked in the Mobile Traffic section, Crime Cars, did several stints as a law instructor and in the Training Research section before finishing at the Police Academy.

Geoff loves his Aerial Square 4 motorbike which is currently on display in the Victoria Police Museum. 

Contains Snappy @2021 performed Jonathan Boyle with music written by Jonathan Boyle, courtesy of Premium Beat.

Post-production by Pete Dillon @www.fearlesscollective.com.au and acknowledgement to Stephen Peters for his assistance and support. 

Thanks for listening. Please take the time to rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. We'd love to hear your thoughts, and it makes it easier for the rest of the podcast world to find The Crime Couch.

"It was not a job for girls"

October is cyber-safety awareness month, so it makes sense I sit with Australia’s cyber-safety expert, Susan McLean. Susan spent 27 years in Victoria Police where she was known as” the cyber cop”. She was the first Vic Pol officer appointed to a position involving cyber-safety and young people.

Susan is highly credentialed and trained extensively with Dallas Police’s Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce and completed the University Certificate in Child Safety on the Internet from the UK’s University of Central Lancashire. 

She runs her own company, Cyber Safety Solutions and given expert evidence in government inquiries and in court.

Contains Snappy @2021 performed Jonathan Boyle with music written by Jonathan Boyle, courtesy of Premium Beat.

Post-production by Pete Dillon @www.fearlesscollective.com.au and acknowledgement to Stephen Peters for his assistance and support. 

Thanks for listening. Please take the time to rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. We'd love to hear your thoughts, and it makes it easier for the rest of the podcast world to find The Crime Couch.

"Standing in the gap"

Reverend Jim Jung hasn't always worked with Victoria Police. The Senior Chaplain grew up In Melbourne's south, trained to be a motor mechanic, played local footy and was the first person in his family to obtain a Bachelor's degree. 

He's had a fascinating background working with NGO's in Spain, with Romanian gypsy communities, in Vietnam and Uganda.

This year the Victoria Police Chaplaincy commemorates it's 50th anniversary so it's real honour to sit with Jim and discuss how the Chaplaincy continues to make a difference in the job.

Contains Snappy @2021 performed Jonathan Boyle with music written by Jonathan Boyle, courtesy of Premium Beat.

Post-production by Pete Dillon @www.fearlesscollective.com.au and acknowledgement to Stephen Peters for his assistance and support. 

Thanks for listening. Please take the time to rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. We'd love to hear your thoughts, and it makes it easier for the rest of the podcast world to find The Crime Couch.