Dear readers, tonight with us is a Detective Senior Constable, who had been described as handsome, kind, hard-working and diligent — and as thick as two planks. He hails from Victoria, Australia.

Tell us a little about where you grew up. What was it like there?

Me mum and dad are farmers, so yeah, I grew up on the farm. It’s a dairy farm, just outside Shepparton.

Did you have any favourite toys as a child? Any cherished memories?

Aw, gees, cherished memories. So hard to pick one, mate. I’ve been that lucky, ya know? One of the best moments in my life has to have been when I brought home my little mate, Tom. And when I met Tammy. We’re living together now. And hauling that sleazy Don Blackman off to the nick, that was pretty prime. So many great moments, though, I’m a lucky man, that’s for sure.

What do you do now?

Always wanted to be a cop, long as I can remember. And I am. So yeah, living the dream. Although, after the Trash Bandit business, the sarge isn’t so happy with me. Not sure how that’s gonna play out, but yeah.

What can you tell us about your latest adventure?

Well I had this string of burglaries, right? Same MO it looked like, but what was weird about these ones was they only took junk. And even more weirdly, the victims weren’t too unhappy. It turned out okay, but like I said, Sergeant Donoghue isn’t that rapt with me right now.

What did you first think when you heard about these burglaries?

I didn’t know what to think, to be honest. Tammy did, though. I’ve got to admit, she nailed that one – guessed what it was right off the bat, soon as I told her about it. She’s clever, my girlfriend. Prob’ly more clever than me, truth be told.

What was the scariest thing in your adventures?

Oh, gees. The worst, the absolute worst, was on Operation Badger, when we found Tom dying of poison. I felt like my world crashed in that moment.

What is the worst thing about being a policeman?

Worst thing about being in the police? Well, to be honest, it’s my dream job, so not much. But those two times I got sent to T.W.A.T. weren’t my favourites, that’s for sure. Bloody silly department that is, and useless too. Still, I wouldn’t have my little mate, Tom, if not for my time in T.W.A.T., and I wouldn’t have met Tammy, either, so it’s not all bad.

What is the best thing about it?

The best, the absolute best, thing about my job is arresting crims. Without a word of a lie, mate. There is nothing like collaring some scumbag who spoils things for other people and hauling him off to get his just deserts. Like that Don Blackman, on Operation Camilla. He was all poised to ruin countless lives with his horrible scheme, and now he’s been struck off as a lawyer, and he’s cooling his heels in prison for a good few years. Result! That time we cleaned up a major drug ring supplying into the high schools, that was pretty great too. Operation Tomcat that was, I’d just met Tammy then, and she was very instrumental in solving the crime too. Got to admit I couldn’t have done it without her.

Tell us a little about your friends.

Well, I suppose Tammy’s my best friend. Holy Dooley I am a lucky man. Best woman in the world, well a gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell, right, but she’s so funny too. And kind, and she’s a hell of a good cook. Yeah, got real lucky there. And Tom, of course. My little mate. You probably know Tom’s a cat. He was the tomcat in Operation Tomcat, of course. He’s mine and Tammy’s now, though, fair and square. Got the microchip changed and everything. And friends, well I’ve got a lot of friends but I reckon Macka’s one of the best. I worked with Macka when I was in T.W.A.T, Macka’s still there but then he doesn’t mind. Loves his gadgets, does Macka. Tammy reckons he’s like Q, in the Bond movies.

Any romantic involvement?

Reckon we covered that one, mate.

Whom (or what) do you really hate?

Not a great hater, mate. I’m a cop, I like to put crims away, but I wouldn’t want to, ya know, torture one or anything. Nah, let them pay for their crimes through the system, that’s the way. Other than that, it’s pretty well live and let live.


Tabitha Ormiston-Smith has spent her life in the pursuit of a good laugh. This quest has taken her through financial reporting, Information Technology, the military, commercial recovery and degrees in Computer Science, Philosophy and Law. Still on the hunt, now Tabitha shares her kills with her readers.

You can find Ben on the pages of Operation Trash Bandit, book 5 of Operation Tomcat.

Browse our archives for past interviews, or follow the site by email (bottom-right) to know immediately when your new best-book-friend makes an appearance.