The Reality Behind the Badge
For nearly 35 years, Roger Mayer has navigated the high-stakes world of policing across the Northern Territory and New South Wales. His 25 years spent in the elite Dog Unit have given him a unique perspective on the intense, confronting, and often unexpectedly human side of the job. In 'Tall Tails and True,' he takes you behind the scenes of high-risk operations, exploring the moments that don't make the headlines.
The Book (Revised Edition with additional stories)
Experience the raw, unfiltered reality of the Northern Territory elite Dog Unit. Roger Mayer APM's gripping collection of real-life stories takes you behind the scenes of high-risk operations and the unpredictable world of working with highly trained police dogs. These are the moments that don't make the headlines—the intense, confronting, and sometimes unexpectedly human side of the job.
Featured Episodes
Episode 1: Before the Badge
In this opening episode, Roger Mayer shares a glimpse into his early life, setting the scene for a policing career that would span nearly 35 years across the Northern Territory and New South Wales. This is where it all begins.
Episode 1 of Tall Tails & True takes it right back to the beginning — Roger’s childhood, family life, growing up in Australia, and the moments that helped shape the man behind the stories.
The first chapter of a life that would become anything but ordinary.
Episode 2: Forged on the Mats
Long before policing, discipline was built on the mats. Roger dives into his martial arts training - and how those lessons shaped his mindset, resilience and approach to conflict long before he joined the force.
Episode 2 of Tall Tails & True dives into Roger’s martial arts journey — from karate and judo through to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, earning a Judo black belt and a BJJ brown belt along the way.
From local dojos to travelling to the legendary Kodokan Judo Institute, this episode explores discipline, toughness, old-school training, and the lessons martial arts carried into the rest of his life.
Real stories. Real experience. No Hollywood version.
Episode 3: From Canberra to the Top End
A big move and even bigger leap. Roger leaves Canberra behind and heads to Darwin to join the Northern Territory Police. He shares what it was like stepping into a completely different world - and the reality of training in the Top End.
Episode 3 of Tall Tails & True follows Roger Mayer through the NT Police recruitment process and his acceptance into the Northern Territory Police and begins the intense training academy journey that would change his life forever.
New environment.
New challenges.
New Territory.
From the classrooms and drill grounds of the academy to preparing for life policing some of Australia’s toughest and most remote areas — this is where the real adventure begins.
Get in Touch
Have questions about the book or the podcast? We'd love to hear from you. Reach out to discuss the stories behind the scenes.
Email: info@talltailsandtrue.com
Tall Tails and True • Real-life stories from nearly 35 years in policing • The elite Dog Unit • High-risk operations • The unpredictable reality of working with police dogs • Behind the scenes of remote Northern Territory policing • Moments that don't make the headlines • The intense, the confronting, and the unexpectedly human side of the job •