The Blue Way

In this episode we hear from Steven Keogh, a retired Metropolitan detective, and Anthony McNeil, a retired Michigan police officer, who share their journeys into law enforcement. Steven reflects on his early days in South London, policing the area he grew up in, and the challenges of transitioning from an accounting career to the police force. Anthony recounts his unexpected path to becoming a police officer, the rigorous training at the academy, and the demanding field training programme. Both discuss the importance of knowing the community they serve and the real-world experiences that shaped their careers. This episode offers a candid look at the personal and professional lives of two seasoned officers.

Anthony McNeil who was a Police Officer with City of Southfield Police Department in Michigan, over a 20 year period from 1992 until 2013. During this time, Anthony worked in a variety of roles, including; patrol, Field Training officer, hostage negotiator and detective. Throughout Anthony’s career he was awarded many department citations and merits, and was named “Everyday Hero” by a local TV station.

Anthony sadly had health issues which forced him off the road in 2008, and into a front desk job, where he worked for five years, but he didn’t enjoy this and so he retired.

Steven Keogh was a Metropolitan Police Officer in London, with his first posting being in 1991 in South London when he was 20 years old. Steven spent half of his 30 year career as a Scotland Yard Detective, ending his career in 2021 as a Detective Inspector in the Murder Investigation Team, where he had been a murder investigator for 12 years. Over his career, Steven helped to hunt down terrorists, when in 2002 he joined Scotland Yard’s Elite Anti-terrorist Branch, where he spent three years, and he also investigated some of London’s worst murder cases. Steven received a commendation in 2005 from the work he carried out on the London 7/7 bombings.

If you’d like to find out more about Anthony and Steven visit;

⁠Anthony McNeil⁠

⁠Steven Keogh

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TIMECODES:

00:00:00: Introduction and Recent Collaborations

00:00:55: Anthony McNeil’s Background and Career

00:06:04: Early Career and Desire to Start a Business

00:08:46: Steven Keogh’s Background and Career

00:09:58: Steven’s Early Career and Decision to Join the Police

00:12:01: Arresting School Friends and Community Policing

00:13:07: Police Training and Application Process

00:14:51: Medical Examination and Interview Process

00:17:44: Starting at Hendon and Initial Impressions

00:18:52: Life at the Police Academy

00:18:58: Anthony’s Academy Experience and Physical Training

00:21:32: Challenges and Mind Games at the Academy

00:23:48: Proposal to Wife and Balancing Personal Life

00:25:33: Cadet Programme and Entry into the Police Academy

00:28:37: Academic and Practical Training at the Academy

00:31:50: Graduation and Field Training Officer (FTO) Programme

00:34:57: First Traffic Stop and Learning to Handle Situations

00:37:05: Stress and Challenges in the FTO Programme

00:41:27: Balancing Work, Court, and Personal Life

00:42:48: Street Duties and Early Policing Experience

00:45:22: Probation Period and Career Progression

00:49:22: Transition to Detective and Starting a Business

00:51:08: Conclusion and Sneak Peek of Episode Two

You can find this episode on YouTube and Spotify.

In this episode, detectives Anthony and Steven share their unique perspectives on policing and detective work. Steven discusses the challenges of policing in ethnically diverse areas in London. He emphasises the importance of a police force that mirrors the community it serves and reflects on the complexities of stop and search practices. Anthony, on the other hand, provides insights into his experiences in the United States, detailing the evolution of police equipment and the importance of building rapport with suspects. Anthony recounts a memorable case involving a meticulous burglar, and Steven highlights the psychological tactics used in interviews. Both detectives offer a candid look at the intricacies of their roles, from everyday patrols to high-stakes anti-terrorism investigations, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and nuances of modern policing.

Want to find out more about Anthony and Steven visit;

Anthony McNeil

Steven Keogh

You can find this episode on YouTube and Spotify.