They might be man’s best friend, but to criminals in Derbyshire, our dogs might just be your worst enemy.

In the very first episode of Off Duty, we’re taking listeners on a trip to one of the most popular departments in Derbyshire – the dog section.

You’ll get an exclusive glimpse into one of our most specialist and demanding teams, with topics including how our dogs are selected, how they’re trained, and whether they switch from crime-fighting canines to playful pets when the leash comes off.

Hosted by Joey from our media team, this first episode features PC Andy Shaw – the “glorified chauffeur” (his own words) to PDs Yolo (the big barky one) and Rosie (the specialist search dog).

Featuring questions from our listeners, the episode covers plenty of ground. From Yolo’s first ever bite (technically two-in-one) to the incredible feeling of seeing a search dog help put dangerous criminals behind bars, Andy reveals what it’s really like living with not one, but two of our most valuable crime-fighting partners.

Whether you’re a dog lover, curious about policing, or just want to know what goes on behind the blue lights, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

“The threat was that high, and your life flashes before your eyes… your instinct is to react proportionately. It was lethal force from him, and the only way to respond to that is with lethal force.”

Those are the words of one of our highly trained, exceptionally skilled Armed Response officers, who puts firearms firmly in the crosshairs as he guest stars on our new podcast.

In this episode, Matthew (not his real name!) takes us through the unseen pressures of carrying a firearm, the life-changing decisions that must be made in a split second, and what it takes to stay calm when the stakes couldn’t be higher.

He recalls his first ever armed deployment – stopping a high-risk suspect car in the middle of Derby – and talks in great detail about the time he’s come closest to pulling the trigger when faced with an immediate threat.

Matthew also chats about some of the specialist skills firearms cops need, and what it was like working side-by-side with former US President Joe Biden’s elite Secret Service in London (including what they thought of his Matalan suit).

It’s an exclusive insight into one of the most intense roles in policing, and answers the ultimate question many of our followers have asked before: when faced with a very visible threat to life, could you be the one to use lethal force?

So load up, lock in, and listen as we take you behind the barrel of the gun in an episode you won’t want to miss.

“I’ve personally had someone who’s blown 146. That level of alcohol in your system can kill you – and these people are driving cars. It frightens me, what’s going on out there.”

Blue lights, fast cars, split-second decisions and the stark reality of what can happen when things go wrong on the road.

In this episode of our new ‘Off Duty’ podcast, Sergeant Scott Riley takes us behind the scenes of roads policing in Derbyshire, from the thrill of the job to the moments that stay with you long after the shift has ended.

Scott talks about the Fatal Five – the dangerous behaviours such as drink- and drug-driving that are behind so many serious and fatal collisions – and why tackling them is such a crucial part of keeping people safe. He also reveals his favourite car, because even roads policing officers have their dream motor…

But this episode goes far beyond cars and traffic stops. Scott opens up about the shock of arriving at a serious collision, the scenes officers can be faced with, and the difference between being prepared for something and actually experiencing it.

And when seconds matter, training takes over. Scott talks about those moments when instinct kicks in, officers switch into action and everything comes down to doing whatever it takes to save a life.

It’s fast-paced, honest and at times hard-hitting, in an episode focused on the gritty reality of policing our roads.