The Crime Couch with Rochelle Jackson

"Reining in the law"

After nearly 43 years of service, former Victoria Police Sergeant Amanda "Mandy" Crowley has finally hung up the reins. Mandy rode horses from the age of 5; so, after graduating from the Police Academy, it made sense that she join the Mounted Branch. Mandy is the longest serving female member of the Mounted Branch and the first in charge of rider and horse training.

She's probably worked more demonstrations than anyone else in Victoria Police, took part in the Atlanta Olympics as part of the Security Team program and even rode horse in the Victoria State Opera's international production of "Carmen".

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 and 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.

"A sense of calling"

Reverend Dr Drew Mellor has just retired after 6 years with Victoria Police. The former Senior Police Chaplain is highly qualified in the Anglican Diocese having previously been a lead pastor at the Glen Waverly and Deep Creek Anglican Churches. He was the Director of the Centre for Youth and Children's Ministry at Ridley Theological College and worked in the Accident and Emergency Department of Box Hill Hospital. 

Drew's also worked with Scouts Australia and is a qualified Nurse. He can now sit back and reflect on his many achievements and years 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 and 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 2025 compilation - the end of season 5"

It's the end of season 5 on The Crime Couch and what a year it has been! This is a compilation of the 22 episodes during 2025. Every interview has been a revealing insight into the lives of men and women "in the job". And many people outside the job. 

I want to thank everyone who joined me this year on The Crime Couch. It continues to be real pleasure and privilege to hear your stories. A special thank you must go to The Crime Couch's editor Rob Johnson from On Replay. This is the last episode for this year, so have a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday! I look forward to you joining me again on The Crime Couch in 2026!

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.

"You don't catch crooks in a milk-bar" - part 2

This is the second of a two-part interview with Brian Doherty. Brian retired as an Inspector from Victoria Police. He spent 19 years in the CIB, the Consorting Squad, the Major Crime and Drug Squads; he also did a stint in community policing at Broadmeadows.  

While some turn to lawn bowls after retirement, Brian certainly doesn't let the grass grow under his feet. He's held managerial roles at the Sandringham Club, the Health Workers Union, Geelong Harness Racing Inc, a tropical reef shipyard in Cairns and the magnificent Collingwood Football Club to name a few. Currently, Brian's halfway through a law degree.  

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.

"You don't catch crooks in a milk bar " - part 1

There's not too many former Victoria Police Inspectors who've been Managers at the elite Sandringham Club, the Health Workers Union, Geelong Harness Racing Inc, a tropical reef shipyard in Cairns and the magnificent Collingwood Football Club. Brian Doherty has. In fact, Brian's also halfway through a law degree. 

He spent 19 years in the job in the CIB, Consorting Squad, the Major Crime Squad and the Drug Squad. On his first nightshift, Brian had to attend the collapse of the West Gate Bridge.  

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 gentleman cop"

Former Superintendent Geoff Tulloch was known in the job for his honesty, meticulous record-keeping and making a difference. He worked in the Mobile Traffic Section, the Second-Hand Dealers Squad, the Crime Cars and the Training Research Section before finishing as a Law Instructor at the Police Academy.

When stationed in Bairnsdale, he was the only motorcycle traffic cop in Gippsland. Geoff proudly rode a 1958 Ariel Square Four motorbike which is currently on display in the Victoria Police Museum! But it's the night where he happened to meet an American President that's really stuck in his memory. 

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.

"Nabbing crooks" - part 2

This is the second of a two-part interview with former Victoria Police Detective Senior Constable Brendan "Finni" Finn about nabbing crooks. 

First there was the Major Crime Squad, then the Fugitive Squad... both Squads tracked down escapees, crooks, murderers, armed robbers, parolees who breached their parole conditions and anyone who didn't want to be found. They also did extraditions where they travelled interstate and bought crooks home via plane. 

Finni's left the job now and has many stories about working in the Fugitive Squad which he says - was the best job in the world!

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.

"Nabbing crooks" - part 1

Catching fugitives like the alleged police murderer Dezi Freeman has always been important in Victoria Police.

Finding and nabbing crooks is routine for specialist units like the Special Operations Group (SOG) and the Fugitive Squad and former Detective Senior Constable Brendan Finn aka "Finni" was right in the thick of it.

Finni was in the Fugitive Squad which is part of the Crime Department. The Detective Senior Constable tracked down escapees, crooks, murderers, armed robbers, burglars, those who breached parole and anyone who didn't want to be found.

This is part 1 of a two-part special featuring Finni.

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.

"Policing the blue and the green"

In 1964, Prime Minister Robert Menzies concluded Australia had inadequate defence manpower and wanted to increase our army's strength by introducing national service. 

This meant 20-year-old males like Gordon Beach, if selected, were conscripted for a compulsory two years in the army. Gordon was one of 58 Victoria Police members who served in Vietnam in the Military Police or Provo. 

Gordon returned to Australia, to continue as a Victoria Police member for a further 33 years retiring as a Superintendent in charge of the Corruption Investigation Unit. 

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.

"Prisons: the good, the bad, the mad and the sad"

John Van Groningen has over 50 years' experience in the prison and corrections system. He's been a Prison Officer and Commissioner, academic researcher and teacher, bureaucrat, expert commentator and a ministerial and government advisor.

John's lectured extensively and worked as a criminal justice consultant in the United States and Australia. He's always been motivated to deliver dramatic change to our prisons. He's just published a book, "Prisons: the good, the bad, the mad and the sad" with Hybrid Publishers. 

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.