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Paul Maleary's Ex-Job Downloaded Podcast

The lives of incredible people who have served


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  • 88. Simon Ovens - What is A Deputy Lieutenant ?

     01:23:07
    Simon Ovens was born in 1967 at St Georges hospital on Hyde Park Corner which is now the Luxury Lainsborough Hotel.At 19½ Simon joined the Metropolitan Police and commenced his residential training. His inspiration to join was Shaw Taylor on Police 5. Simon recalls patrolling in Tunics and helmets using a VDRS and HORTI book to perform his duties. Image and standards are large part of Simons professional ethos.Simons first posting was Sutton, and it was a good grounding for his skills. He learnt the art of being a member of a team. His first step of management was running the local Tea Club. Simon was a prolific thief taker and was introduced to the world of CID which he did not particularly like. Simon returned to uniform duties and took full advantage of opportunities. He became level 2 trained and was present during the first Poll Tax Riot. As Sgts, Ray Gravet & John Lewis were inspirational to simon, and he chose to take part in the Sgts exam. However, he was unable to sit the exam because he had not served 5 years. The only way he could circumvent the rule was to be recommended by the Assistant Commissioner. Simon followed the chain of command. Simon put in his report and was seen by the Chief Superintendent Peter Lockley. Mr Lockley said that if Simon obtained an A Level in Law he would be supported. Simon duly obtained the exam and Mr Lockley facilitated the meeting between Simon and the commander. (John Coo) and sat his Sgts exam which he passed.Simon climbed the ranks and worked with Tarique Ghaffur and was made a temporary C/Supt. His career was not without low points. He was dealt with. Simon’s career saw him move through a number of roles including the head of Traffic and Transport which he loved.We discuss the closure of Police Stations is discussed along with the link between the police and the public.In 1989 Simon attended was allocated the role as the mortuary liaison officer he was armed with a box which contained bags and tags. 5 people died and 88 injured.During his service Simon was appointed as a deputy lieutenant for London. This appointment is sanctioned by Buckingham palace. It is voluntary and unpaid. At the time of the coronation simon was selected to meet and greet Kings Queens and Heads of State on behalf of King Charles III. This was a full-on role for a brief period and at 6am on the morning of the coronation he had to meet the head of an African nation as they arrived in the UK.Simon’s role as a Deputy Lieutenant is to support community cohesion. Simons service in the police and since has been distinguished he has supported Royal Weddings, Funerals and Jubilee Celebration. on Simons very last day in the police he was on horseback at the Kings Birthday parade. He saluted the King rode back to the stable dismounted and hung up his spurs. It is a day Simon will never forget.

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  • 87. Andy Fairie - How the theft of a for sale sign changed his life!

     01:16:28
    Andy was born in Scotland and during his student days he had an encounter with the Police which inspired him to join West Midland Police. After 6 years he decided to transfer to Strathclyde Police. He had to retrain at the Strathclyde Police Training College. There was a significant difference between the volume of crimes from drug related deaths, murders and violence compared to Coventry.Andy commenced his service in the East End Of Glasgow and he would return here whenever he concluded a posting.The east End Of Glasgow was an area known for its high volume of work. Stabbings and violence were prevalent. During his service he worked on the remote islands where he had to deal with the job everyday and he would never get a day off.When he got promoted, he became a negotiator and gained a qualification as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapists. Since retirement he carries out his roles as a therapist but is with Police Care UKHe is now a published author Listening Skills for Effective Policing and is a registered counsellor and can be located by clicking the link

  • Update regarding PTSD999

     06:08
    I have previously interviewed Gary Hayes on one of my earlier podcasts. His charity PTSD 999 have now received Charitable Status and we wanted to share the good news.PTSD999 will deliver training to support any organisation please click on this link and make your enquiry.

  • 86. Andy Petherick - The Fisherman who became a member of the Special Forces!

     58:47
    Andy Petherick is a keen fisherman from South Wales. He won a scholarship to Wycliffe College in Gloucester, his entrance exam included fishing and shooting. The Combined Cadet Force was run by Major Wes Thomas. Major Thomas put Andy on to the tracks by old fashioned methods!At the conclusion of his education attempted to pursue a career in the Army. He was unsuccessful in his application to become an officer which meant he had to seek alternate employment.Andy went on to work with Orvis for 5 years where he could continue his passion for fishing. It was during this period he was approached to become an editor for an angling magazine. He was able to fish across the world and cites a Salmon on the River Yocanga in Russia that he caught as one of his finest catches along with a bone fish.It was during this period he was informed that there was opportunity to join the Special Forces as a reservist. The selection process for the reserves is the same as those who are in regular service who are looking to transfer.Andy commenced his business life by distilling Gin . This became a viable business, but he was bought out by his partner. He now runs Hotspur Leaf which is a company that offer bespoke engraved bottles for Military personnel. From Daggers to Rifles Andy has a unique company that supplies products across the world to Special Forces, Regular units, Police and any other walk of life who want a bespoke item for a retirement or corporate gift.to add further weight to this fantastic brand Andy has enlisted Jason Fox as an ambassador!Main Website - www.hotspurleaf.comOperator Pre Order: https://conta.cc/3Jq3AQe Virtual shops: www.vpri.co.uk Design your own stuff: www.leafdirect.store

  • 85. Paul "William" Minter - Fighting the Taliban became normal

     01:19:15
    Paul was born in East London and played in the streets close to his beloved West Ham United. By the age of 8 he had already made his mind up that he was going to be in the military.His first choice was the Royal Marines but the recruiting office that he went to steered him towards the 9th /12th Lancers. He eventually trained in the Royal Tank Regiment and then transferred to the Blues and Royals. One of the officers in the Blues and Royals at the time was James Blunt. During his service Prince William, Prince Harry and Arthur Soames (Winston Churchills grandson) were also officers in the regiment.Paul saw active duty in Afghanistan and Iraq and saw war first hand. He was continually engaged with the Taliban and was subjected to one of the biggest ambushes in the Afghan conflict. It was during this fight that he worked alongside one of the UKs most decorated soldiers Mick Flynn. The military angels were looking down at Paul and his comrades. They were engaged in a fight and despite being small in number they successfully defended their position. Some of their colleagues were less fortunate.Mental trauma began to take hold and during an incident Paul had convinced himself that a man on the tube was carrying a bomb. Paul tackled the man to the ground and when police officers attended it was quickly discovered that the man was an innocent commuter and Paul was duly arrested and taken away in handcuffs. Despite the best efforts of some members of the military Paul remained in service but was eventually medically discharged..After losing several comrades to suicide, Paul founded Head Up to enable veterans and service personnel to access mental health support. Paul works closely with Simon Moloney CGC - See his interview here!Head-Up are collaborating with GymShark

  • Falklands Compilation

     20:33
    In April 1982 Argentina invaded the Falklands. I have had the chance to interview four members of the task force who sailed from the UK to liberate the Falklands. Adrian Tudway, Keith Dobson, Steve Hutley and Brian Short were young men when they went to war. I have put snapshots of their interviews in this compilation and their full interviews can be found in the episode menu

  • 84. Sharon McCrossan - How the IRA nearly killed me

     01:15:55
    This interview contains graphic description of road traffic casualties. Sharon was born into a Scottish family. Travel was second nature as a child due her fathers work and lived in Hong Kong and Malaya as a child. Having concluded her education Sharon was working as a nanny to a family who were serving Police officers. After 4 years she decided, aged 22, that she would join the metropolitan police.After a couple of years she moved to the TSG and to progress her career she went on to join the DPG and latterly Traffic. During her time she was on duty when she saw royalty and presidents! On traffic she was deployed as a family liaison officer where she would deal with the families of those who were killed or seriously injured.The way of dealing with work place stress often took place in the canteen and Sharon recounts her experiences within the canteen and her memories of the “Polystyrene” tea cups that were the focal point of the officers who used the facilities.Sharon also discusses the events in 2001 when the real IRA detonated a car bomb. Sharon was with her police friends and walking past as the explosion took place. During her time on TSG she was introduced to Jackie Malton and she was asked to take Linda Le Plante out on patrol when she was writing her book Trial & RetributionSince retiring from the police Sharon has worked within hospitality and works at iconic sites in Scotland and she has met Scottish Rugby President Dee Bradbury and has enjoyed the benefits of working in the hospitality world.