Former officer turns policing into podcast hit

A new podcast is reaching listeners worldwide with striking speed.

The Pocket Sergeant Podcast, hosted by former police officer Paul Cooper from Stockton, has achieved nearly 9000 downloads across more than 40 countries, placing it in the top ten per cent of shows globally just two months after launch.

Paul spent eight years with Cleveland and Lincolnshire Police, gaining frontline insight into mental health, PTSD and policing culture. 

He first created the award-winning Pocket Sergeant app, now supporting over 21,000 monthly subscribers, while he has recently launched Misper, an app helping families locate missing people.

Paul said: “The idea for the podcast came from a friend who sent me a TikTok of a former officer ranting about policing.

“He said, ‘Paul, you need to do your own podcast.’ Before I knew it, my friend was filming and directing episodes in my living room. 

“My wife has since kicked me out of the living room, so I’m now building a proper studio at home!”

The weekly podcast features conversations with current and former officers and experts, covering policing pressures and lived experience. 

Guests have included criminologist Professor Jane Monckton-Smith and former officer Ben Pearson.

Paul’s personal story, recounted in his memoir From Trauma to Triumph: The Pocket Sergeant Journey, reflects resilience and determination. 

“At first, I was chasing guests to come on,” says Paul, whose second book – capturing the stranger-than-fiction stories working as a police officer on the beat – is due for release later this year.

“Now they’re approaching me; that’s how quickly this has grown. 

“If someone had told me a year ago that I’d have my own podcast in the global top ten per cent, I would have laughed.

“My goal now is to use my journey from care, policing and entrepreneurship to inspire others to take risks they wouldn’t normally take, because you never know where it might lead.”

The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all major platforms.

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