In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Paul speaks with former police officer Vicki, who shares her harrowing experience of abuse, survival, and what happened when she turned to the very system she once served.

After meeting a man on a dating app, what began as a relationship quickly spiralled into control, violence, and sexual abuse. Despite gathering the courage to report what had happened, Vicki’s case was never even passed to the CPS. Instead, she found herself facing disbelief, inaction, and a system that left her feeling abandoned.

This episode explores:

• The reality of coercive control and abusive relationships
• The psychological toll of trauma and isolation
• Failures in the police response to domestic and sexual abuse
• What happens when a police officer becomes the victim
• The fight for accountability and change

Vicki speaks openly about the impact on her mental health, her family, and her career—ultimately leading to her leaving the police after 17 years of service.

This is not just one woman’s story. It raises serious questions about trust, accountability, and whether the system is equipped to deal with cases like this—especially when it involves one of their own.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse, and trauma.

If you or someone you know is affected by issues raised in this episode, please seek support from a trusted person or a specialist organisation.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.

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Purchase Sh*t Magnet: A Frontline Officer's Stories Of Madness And Mayhem

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In this episode of the Pocket Sergeant Podcast, former custody sergeant Lee Jones shares his experience of being criminally charged following a use of force incident in custody.

Lee describes the events of that day, the split-second decision he made while dealing with a highly volatile detainee, and how the situation escalated into a full criminal investigation. Despite no injury being caused and no formal complaint being made, Lee was charged with common assault.

What followed was months on bail, repeated appeals, and a misconduct process that had a profound impact on his mental health and family life. The criminal case was ultimately dropped, and he was later found to have no case to answer at gross misconduct.

This conversation explores:

• Use of force in custody
• Professional Standards investigations
• The impact of prolonged investigations on officers
• Opposing charges and CPS decisions
• The psychological toll of being accused
• Life after policing

Lee also discusses writing his book The Other Side of Police Corruption, where he documents the full experience and reflects on what he believes needs to change within the system.

This episode offers a candid insight into what it feels like to be on the other side of an investigation — and the long-term consequences that can follow.

Link to Lee's book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Other-Side-Police-Corruption/dp/B0DHK3S5KX

Who would you like to see on the podcast? Send us suggestions!

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Purchase Sh*t Magnet: A Frontline Officer's Stories Of Madness And Mayhem

Purchase From Trauma To Triumph - The Pocket Sergeant Journey

Jeanette was nine years old when her mum died of cancer.
Her father struggled with alcoholism.
Police cars regularly stopped outside her home.

As a child, she would dial 999 when things spiralled.

Years later… she became the officer responding to calls like her own.

In this powerful episode of the Pocket Sergeant Podcast, Jeanette takes us on a journey that is as raw as it is inspiring.

We talk about:

▪ Growing up in a household affected by domestic abuse and addiction
▪ Being split from her siblings after her mum’s death
▪ Leaving home at 16 to survive on her own
▪ Joining the police as a Special — and choosing to serve at the very station that once protected her
▪ The brutal reality of response policing
▪ The night a suspect stopped mid-chase, turned around, and pushed her down a railway embankment
▪ Working organised immigration crime, sham marriages, and trafficking networks
▪ Why she left policing to study law
▪ Winning £5,000 on an ITV game show to fund her Bar course
▪ Juggling childcare while studying full-time
▪ Moving to London and missing her child’s birthday to complete pupillage
▪ The truth about criminal barrister pay (the numbers will shock you)
▪ The backlog crisis in the courts
▪ Why jury trials are under threat
▪ Judicial bullying and elitism at the Bar
▪ Whether AI could ever replace judges

This episode pulls back the curtain on both sides of the criminal justice system — from police uniform to wig and gown.

If you work in policing, law, or care about the justice system — this conversation is essential.

Who would you like to see on the podcast? Send us suggestions!

Download the Pocket Sergeant app today

Purchase Sh*t Magnet: A Frontline Officer's Stories Of Madness And Mayhem

Purchase From Trauma To Triumph - The Pocket Sergeant Journey