Whisper in the Shadows
Welcome to ‘Whispers in the Shadows’, your gateway into the nerve-wracking work of undercover policing. The true stories of a real-life undercover cop. I’m Michael Bates, an ex-undercover police officer, and this was my reality for over two years. If your fascinated by the truth that lies beneath crime shows, if you hunger for the real-life stories that leap beyond the boundaries of fiction, ‘Whispers in the Shadows’ is here to satisfy your curiosity. From infiltrating drug syndicates to living a double life, every episode uncovers a thrilling true story that pitted me against the face of danger. Don’t miss out on the chance to step into my shoes and experience what it takes to walk the thin line between law and crime. Subscribe to ‘Whispers in the Shadows’ and join me, as we delve into the gritty world of undercover policing.
Episodes
41 episodes
Behind the Thin Blue Line - Episode 8, Best of (War Stories)
Ever wondered what it's like to live a double life, constantly teetering on the edge of danger? Join us as we step into the shoes of undercover officers who navigate this treacherous path daily. This special compilation episode of Behind the Th...
Behind the Thin Blue Line, a Conversation - Episode 7 with Mark Battersby - Part 2
What would you do if the very skills that kept you safe on the job became the source of your greatest challenges off the clock? Join us on "Behind the Thin Blue Line" as we continue our heartfelt conversation with Mark Battersby, a former polic...
Behind the Thin Blue Line, a Conversation - Episode 7 with Mark Battersby - Part 1
Have you ever wondered how a young man, with aspiration to be a fighter pilot, ends up serving as a police officer on the gritty streets of Victoria? Join me, Jason Somerville, as I sit down with former Victorian police officer Mark Battersby t...
The Best Buys - Part 2
Ever wondered how close an undercover operation can come to falling apart? Join me, Jason Somerville, as I recount one of the most nerve-wracking moments of my career. From narrowly escaping disaster during a high-stakes drug buy to improvising un...
The Best Buys - Part 1
Ever wondered how an undercover narcotics officer manages to balance trust and deception while navigating life-threatening situations? Join me, Jason Somerville, as I recount some of the most intense and memorable moments from my time working u...
Behind the Thin Blue Line, a Conversation - Episode 6 with Ben Schultz - Part 3
What happens when the badge comes off but the hypervigilance remains? Join Jason Somerville and guest Ben Schultz as they recount their personal journeys from the high-stakes world of law enforcement to the unpredictable terrain of civilian lif...
Behind the Thin Blue Line, a Conversation - Episode 6 with Ben Schultz - Part 2
What happens when a police officer decides to trade the badge for the ballot? Join me, Jason Somerville, as I sit down with Ben Schultz, a former Northern Territory police officer who made that bold transition into politics. In this episode of ...
Behind the Thin Blue Line, a Conversation - Episode 6 with Ben Schultz - Part 1
What does it take to transition from the adventurous life of a rock lobster diver to the demanding world of law enforcement in remote Australia? Join me, Jason Somerville, on today's episode of Behind the Thin Blue Line as I sit down with Ben S...
Behind the Thin Blue Line, a Conversation - Episode 5 with Greg Kingston - Part 2
Imagine standing at a regional roadblock in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when every interaction is tinged with uncertainty and fear. Greg Kingston, a seasoned officer accustomed to handling firearms licensing, found himself reassign...
Behind the Thin Blue Line, a Conversation - Episode 5 with Greg Kingston - Part 1
What happens when a seasoned UK police officer moves across the globe to Australia? Join us in a compelling discussion with Greg Kingston, who takes us from his early days navigating the high-crime streets of Dover and Dartford to the intense w...
Behind the Thin Blue Line, a Conversation - Episode 4 with Garth Kirkwood - Part 2
What happens when an undercover cop's meticulously crafted facade comes crashing down? Join us on Behind the Thin Blue Line as Garth Kirkwood shares a gripping tale from his assignment at a luxury island resort. Garth recounts the tension-fille...
Behind the Thin Blue Line, a Conversation - Episode 4 with Garth Kirkwood - Part 1
What drives someone to leave their childhood dream of working with computers behind to pursue a high-stakes career in law enforcement? Join us on "Behind the Thin Blue Line" as we sit down with Garth Kirkwood, a former Queensland police officer...
A Former Undercover Cop's Journey to Change
Ever wondered what it's like to walk the precarious line between law enforcement and the shadows of secrecy? Join me, Jason Somerville, as I unmask my true identity in the final episode of "Whisper in the Shadows." As a former undercover cop wi...
From Small-Town Deals to Big-Time Risks
Ever wondered what it's like to live life undercover, balancing danger and deception at every turn? Join me, Michael Bates, as I take you through my rollercoaster journey in the latest episode of Whisper in the Shadows. Imagine securing a room ...
The Tense Final Mission of an Undercover Cop
What if you had to adopt a new identity and integrate into a small community to bring down a criminal network? Join me, Michael Bates, as I recount the tension-filled twists of my final undercover mission. With my two-year tenure coming to an e...
Behind the Thin Blue Line, a Conversation - Episode 3 with Paul Milone Part 2
Ever wondered what lingers in the shadows of undercover policing? Grasp the unvarnished truths as I guide you through the precarious dance of maintaining aliases and the waning allure for officers to delve into these high-risk roles. Amidst the...
Behind the Thin Blue Line, a Conversation - Episode 3 with Paul Milone Part 1
Every career path has its own set of stories and secrets, but few are as inherently riveting as those from behind the badge. In our latest podcast, we sit down with Paul, a seasoned former Omaha Police Officer and undercover narcotics officer, ...
Risk and Redemption in the Shadows
Have you ever walked a mile in the shoes of an undercover cop? I'm Michael Bates, and I'm peeling back the veil on the pulse-pounding world of covert police operations. My latest podcast episode plunges you into the heart of the action, where I...
Navigating the Treacherous Terrains of Trust and Betrayal
Ever wondered what it's like to live on the edge of two worlds, balancing the fine line between law and crime? Imagine keeping your cool when a new supplier scrutinizes your every move, or tapping into the emotional veins of humanity as you wit...
The Ability to Discern Truth from Performance - The Art of Undercover Survival
Step into the shadow-laced world of undercover police work as I, Michael Bates, peel back the curtain on the dangerous game of living a double life amidst criminals. Imagine the ethical tightrope walked when a first night's conversation with Ti...
Speed Dealers and the Seductive Allure of Strip Clubs
Step into the underbelly of Australia's amphetamine scene with Michael Bates, a moniker that echoes from a covert past. This episode paints the stark realities of drug trade, contrasting the heroin hustle with the chaotic world of speed. Bates ...
How Having a "Rocket in my Pocket" Could Have Brought an Operation Undone
Strap in as I, Michael Bates—or at least that's the alias I go by—pull back the curtain on the life of an undercover cop, fresh off a heart-stopping operation. Imagine the high-octane world of crime-fighting, then the abrupt shift to the solemn...
Behind the Thin Blue Line, a Conversation - Episode 2 with Keith Banks - Part 2
Have you ever pondered the weight of secrets and the cost of deception on one's soul? Join us as former undercover cop Keith Banks takes us on a journey through the emotional labyrinth of covert police work. Keith's candid narration of a teenag...
Behind the Thin Blue Line, a Conversation - Episode 2 with Keith Banks - Part 1
Stepping into the shoes of a police officer, one seldom considers the invisible scars that come with the badge and the gun. Our guest, Keith Banks, takes us behind the badge, revealing the raw and emotional cost of a life dedicated to law enfor...
A Clandestine Dance of Trust and Deception
Step into the perilous world of deep undercover operations with Michael Bates, a former cop who traded his badge for a covert alias to infiltrate a drug syndicate. Through his eyes, we're plunged into the heart of an intense drug buy with old c...