SFQ Podcast

From Pro Football Player to Polis - Retd Supt Andy Murdoch

Fri, 23 May 2025 13:00:00 +0100

When Andy Murdoch went from professional football player to polis his club, Partick Thistle, tried to get the police to pay a £50k transfer fee! Strangely enough, Strathclyde Police insisted on a free transfer and there he rose through the ranks, spending time as a trainer at the Scottish Police College and eventually become a superintendent, retiring from the Contact, Command & Control division (also known as C3). Since retiring he has been chair of the Partick Thistle’s Former Players Association and remains a respected figure in both Scottish football and policing communities.

Angela Blair - The World of Productions

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 18:00:00 +0000

The SFQ podcast speaks to its first member of police staff - Angela Blair, formerly National Productions Manager with Police Scotland. What are productions? Basically, all the property that gets seized by the polis, about 500,000 items a year. How does it do that? What does it do with all those bricks and how was Angela involved in a previous Oasis concert in Scotland?

If you are interested in talking to the host, Andy, about CBT therapy, you can contact him here:

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/andy-fairie

Andy Brown - Retd Chief Inspector

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Hear how Retired Chief Inspector Andy Brown went from a career in the highlands of Scotland to successfully negotiating a hostage release with the Taliban as part of his work with the Jesuit Brotherhood, in addition to his time spent studying negotiation in the United States as a Fullbright Scholar.

You can find Andy's 'The Right Path' website here:

https://www.the-right-path.com

If you are interested in talking to the host, Andy, about CBT therapy, you can contact him here:

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/andy-fairie

Jonathan Wender

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 21:00:00 +0000

Hear how Jonathan Wender went from a 20 year career as a 'philosopher cop' in Washington to leading academic on the subject of police-public communication. He describes his groundbreaking work using AI to analyse body worn camera footage to reduce the likelihood of conflict. Is this something Police Scotland should consider when it finally gets around to using BWV?

Also - the shocking story of Polis Dug Zara.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/young-police-dog-zara-put-34552686

If you want to know more about Jonathan's work, you can find his website at the following link:

https://www.polis-solutions.ai

If you are interested in talking to the host, Andy, about CBT therapy, you can contact him here:

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/andy-fairie

DC Stuart Hall (Retd) - The Emma Caldwell Murder

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 21:00:00 +0000

Former Strathclyde Police/Police Scotland detective Stuart Hall describes how he discovered the identity of the murderer of Emma Caldwell in 2005 and how this derailed his career when he went against his bosses - who had a different suspect. It would take nearly 20 years for Stuart to be proved right.

If you want to know more about the murder of Emma Caldwell, you can watch Disclosure: Who Killed Emma:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0002w1m/disclosure-series-1-8-disclosure-who-killed-emma

Alternatively, you can listen to the Who Killed Emma podcast on BBC Sounds:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p09bxhkf

If you are interested in talking to the host, Andy, about CBT therapy, you can contact him here:

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/andy-fairie

Stuart was able to get help from Police Care UK. If you are unable to get help through your own organisation, are a retired officer or a family member, you can contact them here:

https://www.policecare.org.uk/get-help-now/

Dr Martin Gallagher (part 2)

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Join me for the second part of my chat with former Police Scotland superintendent and terrorism expert Dr Martin Gallagher. In this episode, we discuss what causes people to take part in terrorist acts.

Here is a link to Martin's website:

https://www.kilmailingconsulting.com

If you want to buy Martin's book, you can follow this link:

https://amzn.eu/d/4yQXagG

If you are interested in talking to the host, Andy, about CBT therapy, you can contact him here:

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/andy-fairie

Dr Martin Gallagher (part 1)

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 10:00:00 +0100

Why do people become terrorists? Former Police Scotland superintendent, Martin Gallagher, has become an expert on this subject, publishing his book 'Terror for Profit' earlier this year. In this episode, Martin describes his police career and reflects not he current state of policing.

Here is a link to Martin's website:

https://www.kilmailingconsulting.com

If you want to buy Martin's book, you can follow this link:

https://amzn.eu/d/4yQXagG

If you are interested in talking to the host, Andy, about CBT therapy, you can contact him here:

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/andy-fairie

Scott Williamson (part 2)

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 10:00:00 +0100

What happens when someone dies as a result of the police use of force?

Following on from the previous episode, former Police Scotland Chief Firearms Instructor, Scott Williamson, discusses post incident management, the promotion process, offers advice to those officers considering a career in firearms and his gravestone cleaning business.

Here is Scott’s Linkedin profile

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-williamson-dip-pslm-30294bba/

Scott’s business website

www.gravecarescotland.com

Post Incident Procedures

If you want to know more about post incident procedures, read the guidance from the College of Policing

Post-deployment | College of Policing

Police Firearms Officers Association

https://www.pfoa.co.uk

Andy's contact details for those considering CBT

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/andy-fairie

Scott Williamson - Chief Firearms Instructor (part 1)

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 16:00:00 +0100

From his first operational incident at the scene of the Dunblane Primary School shooting, to his final post as Chief Firearms Officer for Police Scotland, firearms have bookmarked Scott Williamson's police career. He describes it in this episode, alongside his account of searching a rubbish tip for a murder victim's body and working at Kamp Van Zeist in the Netherlands for the trial of those responsible for the Pan Am bombing at Lockerbie.

Here is Scott’s Linkedin profile

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-williamson-dip-pslm-30294bba/

BBC News article about Police Scotland BWV

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp8n07dje64o

Police Firearms Officers Association

https://www.pfoa.co.uk

‘No Ordinary Day’ By Matt Johnson and John Murray

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ordinary-Day-Espionage-terrorism-corruption/dp/1802471448/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fW4Cm8xQElrOUr0IaTGYbwSRHhZ1YwXW6zYsuK8NqEvOZZCq8IqKZtXrpuIlJcsZh8gmstzIa3jiOeaOr7mjoWOY_Fpv_WutCsq67E_mF_NQfB1njt-Xy8D9pcjgM4ic8LZMZBc63lCk02wP9wUZvhy_ndoNbdTkU4XxRrsYiMlSzpy89NZGRMdelrY7BTACL2_Ybxt6-XNgCwujl2QTbbGvVnFiOTUaSCFjj_qFAec.9tFA5CJaPw26-rMkopr6FasPzBlX8g4z2t1zfCe4CME&dib_tag=se&keywords=no+ordinary+day&qid=1726154865&sr=8-1

Andy's contact details for those considering CBT

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/andy-fairie

Rachel Rogers - Psychological Therapist (part 2)

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 18:00:00 +0100

In this episode we hear more from psychological therapist Rachel Rogers about her plans for future work in the sphere of police mental health and a brief discussion regarding Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing therapy, which has proved to be a highly effective treatment for PTSD and complex PTSD.

Rachel’s website for Phoenix Trauma Solutions

https://phoenixtraumasolutions.co.uk

Police Treatment Centres

https://www.thepolicetreatmentcentres.org

BACP EMDR therapy video

https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/types-of-therapy/eye-movement-desensitisation-and-reprocessing-emdr/

EMDR UK

https://emdrassociation.org.uk/discover-emdr/

Police Care UK

https://www.policecare.org.uk

PTSD Awareness - Police Care UK

https://youtu.be/Fg6T3n8etWw?si=7tCVLfI7woVQvEKd

Andy's contact details for those considering CBT

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/andy-fairie

Rachel Rogers - Psychological Therapist (part 1)

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0100

Rachel Rogers has spent much of her psychological therapy facing her ‘North Star’ of policing. She was involved in the introduction of the wellbeing programme within the Police Treatment Centres and then within Police Care UK in an intensive treatment pilot for trauma affecting police officers.

Rachel’s website for Phoenix Trauma Solutions

https://phoenixtraumasolutions.co.uk

Police Treatment Centres

https://www.thepolicetreatmentcentres.org

BACP EMDR therapy video

https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/types-of-therapy/eye-movement-desensitisation-and-reprocessing-emdr/

EMDR UK

https://emdrassociation.org.uk/discover-emdr/

Police Care UK

https://www.policecare.org.uk

PTSD Awareness - Police Care UK

https://youtu.be/Fg6T3n8etWw?si=7tCVLfI7woVQvEKd

Andy's contact details for those considering CBT

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/andy-fairie

Allan Dorrans - From Police to Politician

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 18:00:00 +0100

When Allan Dorrans stepped off the London train clutching his second hand suitcase, he probably had no idea what a career in the Metropolitan police would lead to. Follow his journey from police to publican, personnel manager and finally, politician. What’s it like to sit in judgement of a prime minister? What is the connection between the miners’ strikes of the 1980s and the murder of WPC Yvonne Fletcher, which Allan has raised more than once in parliament.

Here is the link to the Crime Time podcast episode featuring PC John Murray.

https://shows.acast.com/crime-time-inc/episodes/the-murder-of-yvonne-fletcher-matt-johnsons-story

Here is a link to 'Listening Skills for Effective Policing'

https://amzn.eu/d/5XuBK0q

Dr Sarah-Jane Lennie

Fri, 03 May 2024 08:00:00 +0100

Warning - it's all about emotions in this episode as Dr Sarah-Jane Lennie discusses how police officers often fail to acknowledge that they have any at all. Sarah-Jane went from the British Army to Hampshire and Greater Manchester Police, becoming a Detective Inspector before she left to pursue an academic career, where she focuses on the mental health of police officers and staff.

T/Supt Brian Cook - author of 'The Corsairs'

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0100

It’s all stabbing, scribbling and sectarianism in this episode featuring retired T/Supt Brian Cook, who retired from Police Scotland 7 years ago and has recently published his book ‘The Corsairs’, following the travails of probationer officer Alec MacKay as he patrols the mean streets of Glasgow. Does he pound the beat or does the beat pound him?

You can find his book on Amazon at the following location:

https://amzn.eu/d/9rZW1gh

Here is the Police Scotland Hate Monster video I mention in the episode:

https://youtu.be/SPeUtdT9oUM?si=-aJKXsMrK2q-Skr3

PS Ash Toner-Maxwell, Scottish LGBTI Police Association

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 08:00:00 +0000

PC Ash Toner-Maxwell

Scottish LGBTI Police Association

The SFQ podcast returns for a thought provoking chat with Ash Toner-Maxwell regarding her experience in the east end of Glasgow, including her time as a campus cop. She then speaks about her current role as General Secretary of the Scottish LGBTI Police Association. Should cops be going to all those PRIDE marches? How can people speak to each other about LGBTI issues without falling out?

You can visit their website at:

https://www.lgbtipolice.scot

You can hear me on the the TJF podcast here:

https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-ww6rw-15afb52

Ret GMP PC Rob Hindley, author of The Coppers' Lot

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 20:00:00 +0000

When Rob Hindley was medically retired from the police after a career with the GMP and the Met, he committed himself to helping others going through the medical retirement process and having a hard time with the trauma being a police officer can involve. As a result, he wrote "The Coppers' Lot", where he drew on accounts from other officers who had experienced trauma and described how they dealt with it.

Rob's website is at https://robhindley.com

Call4Backup website is https://www.call4backup.org

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide can be found at https://uksobs.org

The Network of Emergency Service Therapists is here - https://nest.policecare.org.uk

You can buy Listening Skills for Effective Policing from Critical Publishing - https://www.criticalpublishing.com/listening-skills-for-policing and Amazon

Retd Ch Supt Suzie Mertes

Sun, 22 Oct 2023 18:00:00 +0100

Retired Chief Superintendent Suzie Mertes talks about her career, including her fight to retain her stripes when she became pregnant, looking after the G8 spouses at the time of the 7/7 bombings in London, and her time at the head of the Scottish Women’s Development Forum and Association of Scottish Police Superintendents.

Also available at Apple and Spotify.

Retd Supt Henry Campbell

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0100

Supt Henry Campbell retired from Strathclyde Police in 2010. During his career he was instrumental in redesigning the national negotiator course. In this episode he speaks about his time as a negotiator and his night as an inspector when a member of staff was shot in Shettleston Police Office whilst he was on duty. He also speaks about his current vocation as a funeral celebrant and shares some of his police poetry.

You can hear Henry’s poems here:

The Go To Negotiator - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbpzYUrYW4M

40 Seconds Till The Next Suicide - Tick Tock - https://youtu.be/Akho0VGmFaM

My Policing Family - https://youtu.be/2Tc2tiSpwXw

You can buy a copy of my book ‘Listening Skills for Effective Policing here:

https://www.criticalpublishing.com/listening-skills-for-policing

Here are my social media links:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-fairie

X: @AndyFairie

Instagram: https://instagram.com/andyfairie?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andy.fairie

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andy.fairie.author?_t=8gFlWKwRBwX&_r=1

Surviving Retirement - Dr Medina Baumgart

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0100

Are you ready for retirement?

Are those close to you ready for you to retire?

Police Scotland is, largely due to a change in pension rules and a job that becomes harder to cope with daily, seeing a lot of officers retire earlier than they perhaps expected to.

Many will be wrestling with the decision whether to stay or go. Everyone expects retirement to be easy, but if you have spent 25 years or more being an officer (or a partner of an officer), it’s a big change.

How to manage that? This is the subject of Dr Medina Baumgart’s book ‘Surviving Retirement’.

In this episode, I speak with Medina about their experience when her husband, Anthony, a US police officer, retired after 29 years service.

If you are thinking of retiring, or someone close to you is, please listen.

You can order Medina’s book at Amazon.

https://amzn.eu/d/6uBm9xD

Medina's website is at www.DrBaumgart.com

Podcast available at Buzzsprout, Apple & Spotify podcasts.

Ret Det Supt George Barnsley

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 08:00:00 +0100

There’s a lot in this episode with George Barnsley, retired police officer, investigative training consultant and author of the Lanarkshire Police Chronicles. We discuss his police career, Lockerbie, kidnap, the evils of typewriters, his work with the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society and his campaign for official recognition for two murdered Strathclyde Police officers, Ross Hunt and George Taylor.

You can visit the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society website at http://www.lphs.org.uk

George's book 'The Lanarkshire Police Chronicles' is available via Ringwood Publishing (https://www.ringwoodpublishing.com) or at Amazon.

The BBC News article I mention in the introduction can be found here:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-66326656

"We'd commandeered a load of t-shirts at one point and were just trying to use them as tourniquets"

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 18:00:00 +0100

This episode features an interview with Paul Eastham, who policed the city centre of Manchester in a career that spanned 30 years. Paul provides a very honest and sometimes harrowing account of his experience attending the scene of the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017, where 22 people were murdered and hundreds injured.

Ali Garrow - Paddlewell Initiative

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 21:00:00 +0100

Ali Garrow had a career that took him from the Highlands of Scotland to London and New York. Police Officer/IT guru/Negotiator and now creator of the Paddlewheel Initiative, providing a wellbeing service for police officers through the medium of paddle sports.

Ali can be contacted via his website at https://moraykayaking.co.uk

From Police to Pilot

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 21:00:00 +0100

Steve Potts takes us on a journey from joining West Midlands as a police cadet, becoming a detective investigating serious crime and murders before embarking on a career as an airline pilot, eventually becoming a Captain with Virgin. In this very honest account, Steve also describes the impact Covid has had on the airline industry and himself personally.

SFQ Podcast Trailer

Sat, 25 Mar 2023 11:00:00 +0000

A trailer for my new podcast