The Crime Couch with Rochelle Jackson

”That night of the Kangaroo Flat seige” - part 1

Peter Lukaitis was an experienced Victoria Police officer when he was called to a scene in Kangaroo Flat in 1999. As he walked into the siege, he had no idea of who or what he was facing. The former Sergeant and three of his colleagues were shot and seriously injured in the incident. 

Peter is a recipient of the prestigious Victoria Police Valour Award and National Bravery Medal for his courageous actions that night.

He was in the job for 39 years, working in city and country locations spending the last 18 years in Castlemaine.

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.

”Facing up to crime”

The ability to recognise an offender is vital for police work. Creating a likeness of an offender's face increases police's chances of nabbing them!

Victoria Police's former Detective Sergeant Adrian Paterson created a world first. A computer program called F.A.C.E or Facial Automated Composition and Editing.

This amazing technology took Adrian around the world solving crime and allows life like images to be created using sophisticated software that can blend or blemish skin tones, adjust the shape of a nose and the color and style of someone's hair.

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.

”Attitude is everything”

Margie Lewis has just retired after 43 years in Victoria Police. The former Inspector had a diverse career from General Duties, NCA's Surveillance Unit, Ethical Standards, Welfare to the State Emergencies and Support Command. 

Despite wrangling some prejudice and sexual harassment, Margie triumphed becoming a commissioned officer; a rank she never imagined she'd reach. She claims it's all to do with having the right attitude and not letting anyone or anything stop you! 

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.

”The thin blue line”

Every day, at least 8 Australians die by suicide. Police and first responders are some of the groups most at risk. 

Well, Drew Gormlie is doing something about it. He's the CEO of Life Central, an Australian agency that provides programs and support to people at risk. Currently he's working with Victoria and Tasmania Police and the US Military. Recently they focused on the small Victorian town of Corryong - which has a high rate of youth suicide - working with the local police, with great results. 

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.

”Gang today, gone tomorrow”

Street gangs and crime go hand in hand. Former Detective Superintendent Pat Boyle is an expert in gang warfare. What he doesn't know about gangs isn't worth knowing. He's highly credentialed and worked in Victoria Police's crime squads for most of his life. 

It was his passion for street gangs that led him into academia. He secured a Churchill Scholarship to do further research which led him to completing a Masters.  Pat talks about who's who in the zoo 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.

”Drugs, guns and lies” - part 2

Keith Banks is one of Queensland's most decorated police members, but it hasn't been all beer and skittles. He spent 20 years in the job, working undercover and in the Breakers before joining the Police Emergency Squad and Tactical Response Group (TRG)..

When working with the TRG,, Keith had to deal with the murder of one of his close friends and colleagues during Operation Flashdance. The incident changed his life forever and he wrestled with post-traumatic stress disorder.

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.

”Drugs, guns and lies” - part 1

Keith Banks is one of Queensland's most decorated police officers. He worked undercover in the 1980's. In an era of corruption, often working alone with no back-up... he learnt how to merge into the drug scene, smoking dope and drinking with targets, buying drugs and then getting the dealers arrested.

Keith also spent time in the Tactical Response Group, before getting out and turning his hand to writing books. In the first of a two-part interview, he talks about the dangers of working undercover. 

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.

”The justice seeker”

Peter Norden is a former Catholic Chaplain, who worked in the state's toughest jails including Pentridge. He's spent more than 40 years in the Australian criminal justice system. Peter's highly credentialed and a strong advocate for social justice and prison reform. He's recently published a book "Seeking Justice in the Criminal Justice System in Australia".

He talks on The Crime Couch about his dealings with Billy "The Texan" Longley, Ronald Ryan, Chopper Read and Carl Williams.

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. 

”A beat ahead of the rest”

Peter Butts was a tough detective in the job. The former Victoria Police Detective Senior Sergeant worked in the Second-Hand Dealers and Homicide Squads, before joining the usual inner-city CIB's and Armed Robbery Squad.

One of the most interesting crooks he dealt with was the notorious gunman, prison escapee and armed robber Raymond John Denning. Peter met Denning several times including in Long Bay's Special Protection Unit.

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. 

”Lil Irwin - a legend in the job”

94 year old Lilian Irwin was an Inspector in Victoria Police for nearly three decades. “Lil” as she’s affectionately known led the way for women in the police force. When Lil joined in 1961 she was only one of four women in her squad. Nick-named “The Queen of Fitzroy” and “Legs 11,” Lil was the only female Inspector when she was promoted in 1977 at a time when policewomen thought they’d be lucky to get to Sergeant! 

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.