Policing Australia: The Official Podcast of the Australian Police Journal

It's seldom that counterfeiters end up killing police. Sadly this occurred in 1902 when a 'Coiner' (old Australian slang) murdered two police officers - one in NSW and one in Victoria. In the first case the coiner had an accomplice. Danny Webster and Noel Johnson's article 'The Coiner Killers' is a remembrance piece in the September 2023 edition of the APJ. Danny joins host Jason Byrnes, to talk about the strange and tragic tale. APJ Editor Simon Bouda also appears to talk about the wide range of interesting articles in the latest edition - including the so-called Collar Bomber case of 2011, developments in a new intelligence sharing system administered by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Cold Case Homicide investigations in Western Australia, and an update on the Museum of Australian Policing. National Police Remembrance Day (NPRD) is 29 September - ceremonies will be held on the day around Australia, all are invited to attend. Host: Jason Byrnes APM Guests: Danny Webster and Simon Bouda AM

Ballistics expert, Sergeant Gerard Dutton, talks about his extensive career. Crimes mentioned include his recollections of the Belanglo Forest Backpacker Murders investigation and the investigation into the Port Arthur Massacre. He also talks about the work he did for the United Nations' Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), assisting to build the ballistics analysis capacity for the Palestinian Civil Police. Gerard has been a police officer for over 38 years, serving first in the New South Wales Police and then for Tasmania Police. He has written several interesting articles for the APJ over the years. The articles are available through the subscribers-only section of our website – www.apjl.com.au. Host: Jason Byrnes APM Guest: Sergeant Gerard Dutton, Tasmania Police

In 2012, 11-month-old Zayden Veal-Whitting was murdered while he was asleep in his bedroom cot, in his home in the regional Victorian city of Bendigo. In this episode we hear about how police were able to identify the offender and bring him to justice - a journey of many twists and turns. The investigation was marked by a high degree of professionalism, thoroughness and basics of policing, including knowing the local 'crooks'. The words 'total and utter evil' were used by the judge in sentencing the offender to life imprisonment. Victoria Police Detective Sergeant Tony Harwood, the case officer for the investigation, talks to host Jason Byrnes. D/SGT Harwood's article - Total and Utter Evil is in the June 2023 edition of the APJ. Listeners can subscribe to the APJ at www.apjl.com.au Guest: Detective Sergeant Tony Harwood Host: Jason Byrnes APM

A burglar literally leaves part of himself behind at a crime scene! APJ Deputy Editor Barry Fay talks about a crime scene investigation he conducted at a Bondi restaurant, where he found the tip of the offender's finger. APJ Editor Simon Bouda then talks to host Jason Byrnes, about the diverse range of interesting articles in the newly released June 2023 edition of the journal. Host: Jason Byrnes APM Guests: Simon Bouda AM and Barry Fay

On 30 September 1971 two NSW police officers were murdered at a house in Toongabbie, Western Sydney. The murderer had earlier shot his brother dead, and sexually assaulted his brother’s de-facto partner. After the shootings the murderer fled the house but was later chased by police. The pursuit ended in a crash between the murderer’s car and a police truck, and then another shooting. In this episode APJ Deputy Editor Barry Fay talks about this tragic story, and his article. about it titled ‘Always Expect the Unexpected’. It was published in the September 2018 issue of the APJ and can be read online at www.apjl.com.au. Host: Jason Byrnes Guest: Barry Fay

Hear from experienced Tasmania Police forensic officer Tania Curtis APM, who was one of the police who responded to the Port Arthur Massacre on Sunday 28 April 1996. Thirty-five people were shot dead by a lone gunman on the day at Tasmania’s best known tourist spot, situated in a rural setting 90 minutes’ drive from Hobart. Then a junior constable who had recently joined the Launceston Scientific Unit, Curtis worked at the site assisting in disaster victim identification (DVI) and evidence collecting duties. In the interview Curtis also talks about how Tasmania Police is today positioned to respond to DVI incidents. Guest: Tania Curtis APM Host: Jason Byrnes

Magistrate Greg Grogin talks to host Jason Byrnes about his article titled Court Craft – the essential skills required for police to be effective in court. Mr Grogin has over 30 years of legal expertise (including as defence barrister) and before that was a police officer – so he’s seen ‘all sides’ of a court room. The tips and issues raised in the podcast are relevant for police in all jurisdictions. Also appearing in the podcast is APJ Editor Simon Bouda. He discusses the various articles which appear in the March 2023 issue of the APJ, which has been posted to subscribers and can be read at www.apjl.com.au. The APJ is a not-for-profit publication. If you would like to subscribe, either go to our webpage or contact the APJ office on (02) 9285 3399. Host: Jason Byrnes Guests: APJ Editor Simon Bouda AM and Magistrate Greg Grogin

Learn about Australia’s only human body farm. The Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research – AFTER – is dedicated to better understanding the physical, chemical and biological process of human decomposition down under. Part of this process involves conducting training exercises for police and forensic scientists, using donated cadavers in bushland. AFTER’s Director, Associate Professor Jodie Ward (University of Technology), and Queensland Police Senior Sergeant Ritchie Callaghan, talk to podcast host Jason Byrnes about AFTER and the training exercises designed to prepare authorities for conducting disaster victim identification (DVI) operations. The podcast also explains how you can donate your body to AFTER, after you die. Host: Jason Byrnes Guests: Associate Professor Jodie Ward, Director of AFTER Senior Sergeant Ritchie Callaghan, Queensland Police Service

Retired Tasmania Police Detective Inspector David Plumpton joins Jason Byrnes to talk about the murder case that resulted in Tasmania’s last judicially sanctioned hanging. David also talks about his plans regarding the victim’s place of rest. The victim, Evelyn Maughan, is buried in an unmarked grave and David wants to erect a headstone to honour her. First, he needs the permission of a family member. For a few weeks the APJ will also display on its homepage, the 1992 article about the case titled Tasmania’s Last Hanging. The article is written by historian, Reg Watson. Host: Jason Byrnes Guest: David Plumpton

The true story of a woman kidnapped from her suburban home and left tied to a tree in bushland, while the offender lazily issued a $500,000 ransom demand. The story is also about the fortunate series of events which led police to rescue the woman before she succumbed to the elements and injuries. Sent to gaol for his horrendous crime, the offender later came to a violent end whilst robbing a second-hand antiques store. APJ Deputy Editor Barry Fay (accompanied at times by some boisterous birds) talks to podcast host Jason Byrnes about ‘the Devil in Disguise’ – his excellent article about the case. The full article can be read at www.apjl.com.au.

APJ Deputy Editor Barry Fay discusses one of the more difficult police investigations he was involved in as a fingerprint expert: the so-called Jane Doe Murder Mystery. Detectives and support staff spent months trying to identify the body of a young woman, murdered and left abandoned on a suburban street in late 1991. One of the more gruesome elements was a fingerprint found on newspaper that had been forced into the throat/mouth of the victim. The unique circumstances of the murder meant the prints could not be easily identified. Justice was eventually attained, but only after many twists and turns. Note – explicit content is contained in the podcast, and in the article which is now at www.apjl.com.au

Retired Detective Inspector Dennis Bray talks to Jason Byrnes about his high-profile investigation regarding the disappearance and murders of Kerry Whelan and Dottie Davis. Bray’s article, Crueller than Murder, is the feature article of the September 2022 issue of the Australian Police Journal. Rather than canvassing each step of the investigation, Dennis talks about aspects of the complicated and complex operation – topics discussed include management of the investigation, the work undertaken to find key evidence, the challenges of dealing with the offender (a sociopath) and lessons regarding establishing and maintaining successful relationships between investigators and the families of the victims. Visit www.apjl.com.au to subscribe to the journal, and to access the article Crueller than Murder. Host: Jason Byrnes Guest: Dennis Bray

Veteran crime reporter and new APJ Editor Simon Bouda, joins host Jason Byrnes to talk about his journalistic career, themes in crime reporting and the contents of the latest issue of the APJ (September 2022). Retired US police officer Sean Grogan then joins Jason to talk about body language and its implications for policing. Sean currently teaches body language to police around the world; his conversation with Jason ranges from basic principles about body language to the use of polygraphs/lie detector tests. Sean also mentions how his police canine became injured during a drug search a few years ago. The podcast can be listened to at www.apjl.com.au/podcast/ or through any of the main podcast apps. Host: Jason Byrnes Guests: Simon Bouda AM and Sean Grogan

Money laundering is an insidious crime which harms the Australian way of life. Author and financial crime expert Nathan Lynch talks to podcast host Jason Byrnes about money laundering and some of the excellent work done by Australian law enforcement and criminal intelligence agencies in countering the crime. Examples discussed include failures by banks to monitor financial transactions, public/private partnerships to investigate offences, and Australia’s tardiness in implementing anti-money laundering legislation. Nathan’s book ‘The Lucky Laundry’ has just been published. You can listen to the podcast either by going to www.apjl.com.au/podcast/ or downloading the episode from your podcast host of choice.

Chris Dawson APM was the 29th Commissioner of the Western Australia Police Force. This month he retired from the role and was appointed Governor of the state of Western Australia – the first time a former police officer has occupied the viceregal position. Before he left the force, Commissioner Dawson spoke to Policing Australia to discuss his thoughts on policing. He also talked about his 38-year career in law enforcement, including three years leading what is now called the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), and managing the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the APJ’s website at www.apjl.com.au to read, hear and look at more content. Drop us a line at apj@apjl.com.au to suggest what topics, personalities or stories we can cover in future issues.

Listen to barrister Mark Tedeschi QC as he discusses one of the more notable episodes in his prosecutorial career – the prosecution of notorious murderer Bruce Burrell. As Crown Prosecutor, Tedeschi worked with a legal team and police to secure the conviction of Burrell for two vicious murders, committed for financial gain. The bodies of the victims have never been found. In the podcast you will head Tedeschi talk about a range of issues including lessons for police in preparing thorough briefs of evidence, the strategies used to get the cases to court, changes to legislation that partly arose from the cases, and some of the decisions regarding what evidence was and wasn’t allowed to be presented at trial. Tedeschi’s book – Missing, Presumed Dead – is a fascinating insight to the challenges facing police and prosecutors, and also touches on what was probably a third murder committed by Burrell. Host: Jason Byrnes Guest: Mark Tedeschi QC

Author David Dufty talks about his book – ‘Nabbing Ned Kelly: The extraordinary true story of the men who brought Australia's notorious outlaw to justice'. The book is a refreshingly new look at the work of police in bringing a major criminal to justice in colonial Victoria. It challenges the myths surrounding Kelly and his gang, who were in real life vicious and violent thugs. The book is published by Allen & Unwin and is widely available now. Check out www.apjl.com.au for more information about the Australian Police Journal. Host: Jason Byrnes Guest: David Dufty

The story of a multi-jurisdictional manhunt for a vicious murderer who killed and beheaded his victim. During his time on the run, the offender decided to audition as an extra for a major movie! He was eventually captured at gunpoint in the remove Northern Territory. The author was one of the leading investigators into the matter. APJ Editor Pat Paroz also provides an overview of the diverse range of articles in the latest issue of the APJ – March 2022. Check out the APJ’s webpage – www.apjl.com.au – for more information about the journal. Guests: Detective Chief Inspector Stewart Leggat and APJ Editor Pat Paroz APM Host: Jason Byrnes

Recently retired NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller discusses his thoughts on multiple issues impacting contemporary policing. These include the evolving nature of crime, the impact of COVID-19 on the force, and the relationship between police and the community, elected officials and the media. He also reflects on his experiences as a policeman, especially the period where he led the nation’s largest force. This is the second of our podcasts to go in depth with contemporary police leaders, to gain an idea of what they think and do to make their organisations more effective at protecting the community. Visit the APJ’s website at www.apjl.com.au to read, hear and look at more content. Drop us a line at apj@apjl.com.au to suggest what topics, personalities or stories we can cover in future issues.

Retired policeman Bob Brown talks with host Jason Byrnes about his career with the Western Australia Police in general, and the WA Tactical Response Group (TRG) in particular. Bob is the author of the article Top End Murders: The Search for the ‘Kimberley Killer’, which appears in the December 2021 issue of the APJ. The article is about a TRG search for a serial killer in a remote part of the state in 1987, during which the team came under fire. Editor Pat Paroz also joins Jason to discuss the contents of the December 2021 issue of the APJ. Note the interview discusses an actual gun fight in which a person is shot dead by police, acting in self-defence. Subscribe to the APJ through the website www.apjl.com.au Music Theme: Like We Do It by Grace Mesa, available on Premium Beat Break: Run Run Runnin by Grace Mesa, available on Premium Beat End: Motivational Digital Piano & Cello by AudioChemicals, available on Audio Jungle