In this episode of the Pocket Sergeant podcast, Ben Dimmock shares his extensive journey in policing, highlighting the importance of mental health and wellbeing within the police force. He discusses his personal experiences with depression and how they shaped his passion for supporting colleagues. The conversation delves into the role of wellbeing teams, peer supporters, and welfare support officers, as well as the challenges faced by officers in managing trauma and workload. Ben emphasises the need for a supportive culture in policing, the importance of addressing stigma around mental health, and the future of wellbeing initiatives in the police force.

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Ian Cook from Blue Light Lifestyle returns for another powerful discussion.

We kick things off with an update on Code Zero, the brand-new mobile app Ian is developing alongside Ben Pearson, designed to support those working in the emergency services.

We then get into the latest controversy involving North Yorkshire Police, where nine graduate officers were referred to the Professional Standards Department over alleged uniform breaches during their graduation ceremony. We unpack the Chief Constable’s response, the fallout, and question whether he himself should face scrutiny for his own actions.

Finally, we discuss the Merseyside Police viral video incident that surfaced the same day the nine officers were cleared — exploring how leadership responses vary across forces and highlighting examples of true leadership shown by chief constables and senior officers who get it right.

Find Ian Cook and Blue Light Lifestyle here: http://bluelightlifestyle.com/links

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In this episode of the Pocket Sergeant podcast, Claire Lilly shares the poignant story of her late husband, Alan Forcer, a war veteran whose struggles with mental health and addiction led to tragic consequences. Claire discusses the impact of Alan's experiences during his military service, the challenges they faced as a couple, and the development of the Forcer Protocol, a new policing strategy aimed at improving the response to veterans in crisis. Through her advocacy, Claire aims to create a supportive network for veterans and their families, ensuring that no one feels discarded after their service.

Forcer Protocol website

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In this conversation, Hannah Bailey shares her journey from a police officer to a wellbeing coach, discussing the challenges of facing trauma, undiagnosed PTSD, and the impact of her cancer diagnosis. She emphasizes the importance of mental health support in policing, the concept of moral injury, and her mission to help others navigate their struggles. Hannah also highlights the need for systemic changes in policing to better support officers' mental health and wellbeing.

Find out more about Hannah Bailey: Blue Light Wellbeing

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In this episode, Catherine Davey — star of Channel 4’s The Inheritance — shares her journey from joining the police at a young age to her experiences on the front line, the challenges she faced due to injury, and her transition to life after policing. She reflects on her time in the force, memorable stories, and the impact of her reality TV experience on her perspective of trust and alliances. Catherine also discusses her aspirations for the future and the lessons learned from her unique career path.

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In this conversation, we highlight the challenges of communication and leadership within police culture, especially in light of recent incidents such as the North Yorkshire Police graduation controversy.

We also disucss the ongoing efforts to improve mental health and wellbeing in policing, particularly through the proposed development of a new app, Code Zero. The discussion emphasises the need for better support systems, open dialogue, and a shift in culture to foster trust and confidence among officers. We share insights from recent conferences and networking events, advocating for a more relatable and trustworthy leadership approach in policing.

Find out more about Ian Cook: Blue Light Lifestyle - Restart Program

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TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️

This episode discusses suicide and associated trauma. If you have been affected by anything in this episode, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123

In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Andy to explore the profound impact of trauma and mental health challenges faced by police officers. Through personal stories and expert insights, we shed light on the emotional toll of the job and the importance of mental health support within law enforcement. Andy shares his experiences navigating these challenges and offers perspective on the steps being taken to foster resilience and well-being in the force.

FREE online suicide prevention training course: https://www.zerosuicidealliance.com/suicide-awareness-training

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TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️

This episode discusses suicide and associated trauma. If you have been affected by anything in these podcasts, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123

In this episode, we sit down with Gary Hayes, a former British Transport Police Officer, to hear his honest and moving story of living through trauma and finding a way forward. Gary talks about his time on the front line, including the aftermath of the 7/7 bombings, and how those experiences led him to set up PTSD 999, a charity supporting emergency service personnel living with PTSD.

This conversation is about resilience, community, and why looking after our mental health matters more than ever. It’s one you won’t want to miss and stay tuned until the end of the episode, where Gary shares a powerful poem that captures his journey.

Find out more about PTSD 999 here:

https://www.ptsd-999.com/

Garys GoFund me:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/ptsd999

#PTSD999 #MentalHealthAwareness #FirstResponders

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