Even experienced dog handlers get it wrong sometimes.

In this episode, Roger looks back at some of the less-than-brilliant things he’s done over the years—including the time he was called out on a job… and left his dog at home!

But there’s plenty of serious dog work too. Roger shares some incredible tracking stories and explains what actually happens when a police dog is called to a crime scene. How do they find a scent? What are they looking for? And how can a dog follow the trail of a person who has left the scene?

Drawing on decades of experience working with police dogs, Roger takes us behind the scenes of one of the most remarkable skills in the Dog Squad—the ability to turn a seemingly ordinary crime scene into a trail that only a highly trained dog can follow.

There are plenty of laughs, a few “what was I thinking?” moments, and some truly incredible stories from a career spent working alongside some extraordinary dogs.

Tall Tails & True — real stories from a life with police dogs.

Roger reflects on an unexpected chapter outside policing—his introduction to traditional samurai sword training and the discipline it demanded, a pursuit he would take up years into his police career.

The focus then turns to the beginning of his long-awaited journey into the NSW Police Dog Unit.

Roger shares the demanding selection process, the disappointment of several dogs that weren’t the right fit, and the moment he was paired with a dog named Devil—whom he renamed Kancho.

Together, Roger and Kancho completed their training and formed a partnership that would launch a 25-year career in the Dog Unit.

In this episode, Roger also recounts some of Kancho’s first operational jobs, offering a glimpse into the trust, teamwork, and split-second decisions that define police dog handling.

It’s the beginning of a partnership that would produce many remarkable stories still to come.

After returning from the Northern Territory, Roger was posted to Campbelltown, where policing took on a very different pace.

He reflects on a brief stint in the detectives—a role that ultimately wasn’t the right fit. While working there, he applied for the NSW Police Dog Unit, setting in motion the next chapter of his career.

Away from the job, life was changing just as quickly. His first daughter was born, his first marriage came to an end, and, a few years later, he met fellow police officer Jane. Assigned as her training buddy at Campbelltown, a professional partnership gradually became something more.

Shortly after marrying Jane, Roger received his long-awaited transfer to the Dog Unit—beginning a career that would span the next 25 years and define much of his policing life.

This episode explores the personal and professional crossroads that shaped the path ahead.