POLICE INTERCEPTOR BEN PEARSON REVEALS ALL!

In my latest 'Some Say...' podcast, I sit down with the one and only ‪@BenPearson1965‬ - one of the most familiar faces from the iconic Channel 5 'Police Interceptors' TV series, to get a candid and no-holes-barred insight into what really goes on behind the scenes with the British Police.
Ben really did see it all during his time on the force, and thankfully, was willing to share some of the grittiest, surprising and sometimes alarming anecdotes with me during our chat.

[@BenPearson1965]

Thank you for the opportunity to chat pal. I don’t really comment on many videos re police issues. But I’m sure you’ll get enough “experts” “keyboard warriors” and “defund” the police people that will keep the flow going.

[@MulletMan7-nw9kz]

Thanks for your service Ben😊

[@oliverbyrne3209]

They say defund the police because of the way you treat members of the public. There are countless situations where the police lie cheat and abuse their powers and in some incidences kill people with firearms that are un armed. Also it's institutionally racist so why should anybody of colour respect you when your own chief of police admits to this fact.

[@1969Risky]

I've just subbed to your channel. I'm amazed that you retired when you did with all that you went through. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[@GreggCesaroni]

Hello Ben, if you want to experience some of the American cop cars, hopefully the Florida highway patrol will let you drive some of their cars. They usually run Chargers, Explorers like the one you drove, and the Chevy Tahoe. They also have the Challenger RT’s and not long ago, they received unmarked Mustang 5.0’s with the 10 speed. Some other county sheriffs have the Chevy Caprice but those are being phased out. Drive one while you can!. Those have LS3’s in them.

[@LastOnSunday]

What was your take on the TopGear hot hatch police chase? Both on the inept driving in the Vauxhall Astra police car & James May's super slow pursuit? Cheers for your service. You deserve a long & happy retirement.

[@Galahadfairlight]

I have respect for the Police and its a hard job, but the writing was already on the wall back in 2004 when I joined. Putting diversity above all else is not how you get the best quality Police. I have no issue with women, Asians or black people joining, but when you decide you have a specific quota you want to hit, and you're accepting ANYONE from those three groups, irrespective of whether they are actually right for the job is when you have problems. FFS, the Police LOWERED the physical tests in 2005, And this comes from the top down, where career Police join from Uni as an Officer rank and skip the valuable Constable rank and the learned street experience, that's when you have problems, that's when we get the situation in Rotherham, that's when we get Metropolitan Police very much treating certain marches and protests differently to others, its when we have Police officers KNEELING for BLM, its when we have Police cars liveried up like a rainbow, it's when people get arrested for "mean" tweets, it's where people are asked to "check their thinking" if they refuse to call a man a woman, its where we have the absurd description of a "non hate crime" which isn't a crime but is recorded as such and rakes away valuable police time for actual real offences that affect people every second of every day. If you want to know why people don't respect Police, it's because whilst you were shielded from this muppetry by your beat bobbie colleagues, you were isolated in a car, Tactical Support Groups were isolated in their vans and stations away from this idiocy. Police are there to do a job, without fear nor favour, and its no wonder people look at the state of modern policing and wish the money was spent elsewhere.

[@AthanImmortal]

I went through Ben Pearson's channel recently, guy's really been through the wringer, but came out the other side, I love seeing these two talk :D Speaking of missed callings (re the camera guy 2:00), Ben Collins is just a fantastic presenter, I'm so glad we have this channel now.

[@MrSonicAdvance]

I can tell Ben why there's been a loss of respect for the police, too much focus on non-crimes and a disregard for what the public considers are real crimes. You turn up mob-handed for mean tweets and seem indifferent to property crime.

[@AI-Records24]

Insane how he hasn’t got the brains to figure that out, then again, he joined the police so🤷‍♂️put a camera on them and you’ll have them surround you, get robbed and you’ll get a crime reference number

[@lorddoobsworth144]

The whole "war on drugs" bs too. Police are brave people and can do a lot of good too though!

[@The12thDimension.]

The fact that he said "The Sweeney" was the most accurate car chase, right to The Stig, is just perfect knowing Top Gears' involvement in that scene.

[@samuelgarrod8327]

What scene?

[@The12thDimension.]

@@samuelgarrod8327 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m56vYp2Knt2Lldksi=yC3cOJRiuB7hDZOB this one

[@The12thDimension.]

@@samuelgarrod8327 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m56vYp2Knt2Lldksi=aY4_M2WDTkbdETxE

[@barneyrubble9309]

Start of the problem was putting the police on bloody TV in the 1st place. They are NOT entertainment. I HATE fly-on-the-wall shite.

[@EmmanuelGoldsteinUK]

The recent two tiered policing doesn't make it easy to respect the police force, so I think the lack of respect for police is only going to get worse in the coming years

[@iamjames8200]

Funny how people latch onto a phrase the media pushes. I don’t think anyone actually knows what they mean when they use the term “two tiered policing”. Society doesn’t have a clue what it wants from it’s police.

[@mopedman1]

And if you follow channels like Crimebodge, you realise a lot of police are not trying to make 'better tomorrows'

[@303cerebral]

"Defund the police" is a rubbish slogan because it is easily misunderstood. It was explained to me that (particularly from a USA perspective) so much money is spent on police dealing with symptoms of eg mental health that it is far more effective to fund prevention and support services so the police have less to deal with.

[@ninja12lawbreaker]

My best mate was teargassed by French police watching Arsenal play away. Luckily as an ex squaddie with loads of Northern Ireland training behind him he was practically immune to it. LOL to the frogs

[@alantorrance6153]

What is difficult about the accents? To me, living in Auckland, New Zealand (born Hull, emigrated at age 6, 72 years ago), they are "plain English". My Mum was Glaswegian, Dad was Edinburghian.

[@scruff520]

Another brilliant Some Say, Ben great insight on the Police and the Interceptors, awesome.

[@dissol]

I would not ever buy an ex Police car, as they are treated so badly. Imagine a high performance engine either sat turned off, going cold on the side of a motorway, or parked up waiting, or worse just idling for ever. Then a baddy flies past and the cold engine is maxed out for a short period (he said max 15min for a “normal” chase. And then turned off. No carefully warming up or cooling down of the engine. They might get serviced on time but no thank you.

[@djd8305]

Second of these I've watched and they're great. Especially Ben Pearson is excellent. I hope he's happy in life.

[@dmeobbt]

70mph+70mph doesnt equate to a 140mph crash. I thought it did until mythbusters showed me the way ...

[@Curiosity_Cars]

Depends on what you hit. If u have to crash.... Hit the car, Don't come off the road and hit a tree.

[@jamesengland7461]

140mph is the closing speed

[@Baron_Greenback]

Yes it does! Closing speed is used to describe the speed of two vehicles colliding in a head-on collision. For example, if a vehicle doing 70mph collides with another vehicle doing the same speed, the closing speed would be 140mph

[@Baron_Greenback]

It’s the same for the Red Arrows when they do the cross over manoeuvre, if they are both doing 200mph the point where they intersect equates to 400mph….

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

It's interesting to bring up the PTSD thing... I've had this discussion with my cousin and best mate, who was an officer in the Australian SASR for 16 years, rising to the rank of major and doing several tours of Afghanistan and Iraq (he was wearing some of the first boots on the ground in Afghanistan). Now he's not normal, the man genuinely never gets nervous, but the one job he says would stress him too much is a police interceptor Hwy patrol gig. He said the danger in the theatre of war was just that to him, a theatre where he went to do a job and it was far, far away from his loved ones. But doing dangerous work in the place where his family is, that would weigh too heavily on his mind making decisions and if he were to be involved in a tragic incident, he wouldn't be able to get a plane and go home in a few weeks... Because that is his home. Dunno if that makes sense to you, but it was a deep conversation we were having one night with some copper friends we were on a shooting trip with. Never heard him give so much respect to a job like that.

[@number1yota]

Having done both "jobs" US Marine, and Police Officer, the LEO (Law Enforcement Officer) gig never stops. Being home from deployment in your mind you are home and safe (not all soldiers can turn that part off) being a LEO you are never safe. You always have a target on you, and when your "off" your never off. I was at the pumps last week face to face with a guy that's been in and out of jail for many domestic/family violence charges, and I guy I personally had to fight. That red alert doesn't switch off. I'm not discounting anyone's experiences in war, but for me the time I spent as a LEO was mentally harder.

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

​@@number1yota at the risk of embarrassing you, because I'm sure you don't do it for the thanks... Allow me to say: Thank you sir for your service to our allied nations' armed forces and for your sacrifices in your own community to the benefit of us all in who are lucky to live in a civil society... I know those are often said as empty platitudes, maybe not so articulately, but I really mean it and I often reflect upon the gravity of such a statement. It's men like you who sacrifice their peace so that I may take mine and my children's peace essentially for granted. If you ever find yourself upside down and nearby Melbourne some day: remember this comment and make a reply to it telling me you are in my corners of the king's colony. You can expect a steak dinner and a beer (or ten) to wash it down. Your Yankee dollars would be no good in my bar brother and I'm sure the all blokes would be hanging on every word of the yarns you've got to spin. You have my undying respect and admiration. **Salute**

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

​​@@number1yotaOh and btw... My cousin always says the armed force he served with that he respected above all others is the USMC. He actually got a bronze star for his role in the battle of Takur Ghar. His proudest moment of his career. I believe he was a captain at that point. His name wasn't published, because he still serves in some reserve capacities and I'm not actually sure what I'm supposed to say or not say about that... So I shouldn't elaborate I guess. But it was the USMC who gave him his most prized medal and he's got quite a few citations to be proud of and also a lot of military outfits he holds in high regard. So that's saying something coming from him that it's the US Marines he respects the most.

[@jimmymcgoo8641]

Wonder why Bradford is so bad? Anyone know....

[@techtitanuk5609]

All the boat people look like doctors and nurses and scientists I don't get who the criminals and thieves are?

[@DC3Refom]

psslamists and thugs

[@lorddoobsworth144]

rubber dinghy rapids bro

[@MMCPN]

Because it's full of criminals

[@bamaboni]

I'd love it if you did something like this but for Ambulance/Medical Responder driving.

[@Yanchi_YT]

💯 would be great to listen to the likes of @ChrisMartinEMS

[@XDontConformX]

Join traffic and be at risk of death Join firearms and be at risk of going to prison for doing your job..

[@WhiteDieselShed]

100% opportunity for a little series Ben & Ben compare? The Two Ben's? Take random cars and you test them as a track car and Ben tests them as a police car. New and old cars compared interesting to find the thoughts on the Allegro and similar 70's panda cars and his thoughts on the SD1 and Granada's of the 1980's. After the police test and track test a road section with both of you in the car sharing your thoughts...

[@Si-65]

Massive, massive respect for the roads policing team working out of Bradford. I live there, I see the driving and pursuits on a daily basis. I used to be able to listen to the pursuits before the Tetra radio system, Hair raising. Live in the crackie area of Shipley, Ben Collins will know Crag Road, Shipley well. The job that broke me happened just down the road from me, affected me from a distance too. Will be buying from the shop soon Ben

[@andybradshaw5971]

I was talking to a traffic officer at a motorway service area only this last week and he too said they'd had too many problems with BMWs and the engines failing. Out of the choice they now had, Volvos or Skoda Superbs, they all preferred the Skodas. How times have changed.

[@simonelliott5956]

Really interesting chat, great to hear things from Ben’s perspective.

[@kris.d5986]

that was an ampera in one of the sample images not a vxr8… sorry to be that guy! 😅

[@techtitanuk5609]

Love ben Pearson hes so down to earth. Shame he got complex ptsd

[@QuickLap]

I like hearing the talk of the Vectra. I had a 2007 Astra VXR then moved on to the Vectra's successor, the Insignia VXR, in 2010. I loved that car. The comfort and ability of it was amazing to me at the time and it accelerated effortlessly. The downside... the costs. Fuel economy was poor. Brembo brakes meant a £1600 bill to just replace the fronts. A known issue with timing chains meaning that when you get to about 30,000 miles, the chances are you will get hit with a big £3k+ bill to fix if you are unlucky enough to be out of warranty. Huge depreciation due to the brand. I'd still have a second hand one as a daily driver though if I knew the timing chain was sorted.

[@andytraill]

Amazing stuff. 0 BS. On Skyfall, "was that you?" didn't even say at first 😂.

[@GeoffBuysCars]

enjoyed this!

[@TheManLab7]

If it's got a Lambo engine then it's definitely an Audi or a VW. I love my Mk7.5 Golf. The Mk8 is a pretty crap looking car and it hasn't got the looks of my car

[@razghost2]

This chat really did shed some light on just how messed up this country is. All the effort and dedication Ben and his colleagues put in and for what? Public scrutiny, media trying to show you in a bad light for engagement and a broken justice system where if a criminal gets in a fatal accident you can be held responsible.

[@ThyCorylus]

This is one side of the coin. Public scrutiny of the police is essential, particularly as they're being used by commissioners and by direction of the civil service, to focus on controlling speech versus real crime.

[@Mtlmshr]

Sounds like a normal shift at the LAPD?

[@djd8305]

I bought a Mercedes 2012 ML 350, in immaculate condition, in the UK last year, with custom plates. On running an online background check I saw that it had carried multiple different custom plates in it's life. I assume it was a "covert" car of some sort.

[@Marcus-xb7le]

Oh no cameras in your face, if only the UK police would stop harassing people because they are filming, or because they tweeted something spicy.

[@theofficialstig]

the Lamborghini engined car is 99% likely to be an Audi S8/S6/RS6 (which isn't a lambo engine btw) I've heard the b0mb squad cars have used RS6's, the covert cars may be referring to MI5/NCA

[@ess6387]

Maybe they have a v10 RS6 still being used

[@MrFlazz99]

Not just covert cars (36:00) - there are (certainly have been in the past) covert motorbikes as well. I happen to know of a civilian contractor test-riding a Huyabusa some years ago, who was clocked at 194mph somewhere along the M1/M6 (even outran a police helicopter), but due to this bike being officially non-existent, no action was taken (apart from an official serious 'talk' along the lines of "we are watching you", the result of which being that this person has never been caught speeding since then) and the speed was never officially recorded (so it's not in the record books).

[@andrewlaming]

Crazy that Top Gear's best presenter was mute in a white suit

[@denisegore1884]

He conveyed so much as The Stig without using his face or his voice. That's real talent. Ben is really good looking too which would have detracted from the other 3.

[@samuelgarrod8327]

He didn't present TG, he appeared on it. Check what a television presenter role entails or watch a television programme.

[@matta6806]

What an interesting interview! And clearly a proper petrol head, escort cossie was a great answer 😁

[@SuperMcgenius]

The Saab 93 with a few mods was great for much less money.

[@allysonsquires8421]

Vxr or most high powered fwd Vauxhall understeer out of the box never mind modded/mapped🤦‍♀️ I have had a bmw 325i there tow different chassis with completely different handling characteristics.

[@johnpirie4804]

Ben Collins was wasted as the Stig on Top Gear, He's much better than Clarkson, May, Hammond.

[@MercuryCircuit]

Great interview. Keep up the good work Ben. 👍

[@MrDieselakias]

what is this language?

[@nicolejune4282]

Not that it’s up for a vote, but I vote you come to Fort Worth Texas for the American trip. Not just because I’m a cop here, but Texas Motor Speedway is here, and Cresson Motorsport Ranch track is nearby.

[@BenPearson1965]

Sounds great! Get that invite sorted.

[@TheSamJ]

As a delivery driver in Bradford, I can confirm this is correct about Bradford

[@trappedinkalifornee]

I cannot imagine going in to any police organization without being armed….hats off to you brave lads!

[@cheeseburgerbeefcake]

Good session, interesting stuff! What was your podcast called again, Ben?

[@The_BenboBaggins]

The Mk3 Astra simply didn't handle at all! 😂 I had two as my 2nd and 3rd cars, the body roll made cruise ships look nimble! 😂

[@FozzQuaker]

I went to a psychic many years ago who told me 'I see something to do with blue uniforms in the future' About 3 months later I got arrested

[@natrjack965]

Absolutely brilliant interview I really feel so sorry for ben pearson. I have read all 3 of his books, and it's heartbreaking ,despite what some people think of the police Ben is a good egg, and he was only doing the job he loved ...

[@MMCPN]

Agreed👍🏾👍🏾

[@dnakatomiuk]

Can't remember the last time I actually saw Traffic Police in my city

[@hjr2000]

Traffic are cut to the bone by moronic politicians.

[@gsx-srider7963]

Iv been parva sprayed before. Will 100% agree the worst thing ever it’s evil 😂

[@redline589]

He seems like a good sport, thanks for the quality content.

[@T-Bag13]

A high standard? That's me fucked then.

[@MarkMacRae]

Interesting chat, but I don't think he quite understands what "defund the police" means. More police funding doesn't solve homelessness, it doesn't solve addiction issues and it certainly doesn't solve mental health crises. You need the right tool for the job. And right now, police are being deployed to try to help situations that they are ill-equipped and ill-trained to handle. Reducing police funding in order to fund more specialized resources for those types of calls makes total sense.

[@AW8UK]

Unfortunately there are significant numbers of folk in crisis, whether homelesss , substance abusers, wirh severe mental health or other issues. If ambulance or social services get a call to someone who is a physical danger they stand off, call the Police & ask them to deal. Do you want ambulance crews , social workers & mental health services fighting with & detaining people having genuine & dangerous crisis episodes ? I support greater training resources & funding for other agencies including in prevention & support....but not at the sacrifice of already inadequate police funding or increased risk to public safety.

[@Mitchell-mo9up]

If the police are nitty gritty we are in trouble

[@nickraschke4737]

Great stuff.

[@ME10920]

Best video I've watched on KZbin for many years x

[@brucebanner8956]

Really good video, honest and interesting

[@sabre22b]

Two experts. A joy to watch.

[@mikebuick2332]

What a great video

[@paballomolata8844]

I like this series

[@dockaos924]

nasties didn't start reveaing all till they saw the noose 🙄

[@murphychris9811]

if you love the police so much why did u leave them ???

[@tdtm82]

The original Vanishing Point has amazing driving scenes as well as the original Gone In Sixty Seconds and Bullet but anything in the past 25 years or so from the states has been terrible despite the skill of the drivers. Apart from Drive and a couple of movies like Shelby. Mass respect to him. I used to love watching him on PI when there was nowt on TV. Amazing that his daily driver is a Golf. I love Golfs. Family car in the 1980's.

[@johnmcmahon4364]

Great video Ben, I love the vectra shape

[@Own-ItUKApparel]

In Lancashire there's plenty of Skoda Superb Estates. 2.0 TSi 180bhp

[@shanethrelfall416]

Are we still allowed to say “Boy Racers”

[@trevormoat6919]

Great chat, re CS gas, in the military (when I served) we regularly had to do the Gas Chamber with CS gas, not great fun and Ben is right...

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

22:50 "If you're gonna race cars mate, you're gonna crash cars." Mark Webber, my favourite airline pilot and according to Clarkson, Ben's too.

[@Biter1975]

Dam. These guys has serious pressure.

[@ChrisPatrick-q6k]

My word, Traffic sounds like Airline Pilot levels of training and dedication!! The stress must be out of this world.

[@bam-skater]

What's he got against tourists?

[@Smithy92]

Escort cosworth👌🏻👌🏻. Correct year I’d have too benny 👌🏻👌🏻😎

[@gt_kenny]

Can someone type what he says starting from 23:32 Can't understand a word. Thanks!

[@FFM0594]

"Clare could hold her own, she could. Smaturgruv blunco pwithungind". You're welcome.

[@TheSamJ]

We shouted on which is err "XR 5 2 we're sat at Rooley Lane roundabout" And you could hear on the radio go "phew, thank god Ben and John are here"

[@Richard-r1x7d]

Some faith has been restored but I am in London now and not Brighouse, oh well.

[@geeteebloke1979]

Vectra vxr ... love it I still own one 👍👍

[@matt_hayward]

What was he saying about the Lexus LS 200 covert car in a convoy? I couldn't work it out!

[@evander6979]

Basically if they're carrying out intelligence gathering. If say you were the wanted man, and they want to follow. They'll have a variety of cars that follow you and switch them up every few miles so you don't clock that the same cars been on your ass for the past 20 mile. So car A might follow you for 15 miles, meanwhile car B has flown past in lane 3, jumped off an exit slip and waiting for you to come up so they can re-join the motorway and get behind you to allow car A to drop off so you don't get suspicious.

[@maxcullen3427]

Ben lovely too see u again u new PTSD push is amazing

[@maxcullen3427]

As I’ve learnt some scars can’t be seen but can and will cripple most people 13 years rehab PTSD & TBI But if can smile as tears don’t help sh#t

[@FFM0594]

I'm just glad they don't have Honda's.

[@NTTBIRCHY]

Essex police still has a Ford RS200 marked car

[@speedbird737]

why show a break in from a house in the USA @ 08:36 ????

[@MrDreddZz]

Grown up watching ben on police interceptors, nice to get more insight behind everything. Seems like a genuine nice guy too

[@speedbird737]

do any of the offenders speak english in bradford?

[@Rickdiculous413]

I’m from the states. The was the guy with the tank but there was also the guy who built up a bulldozer. There’s a documentary called “Killdozer”.. you took out buildings vehicles and everything. It was insane.

[@LiamTucker]

Bradford sounds like it's full of weird people.

[@livinglife8565]

Wonder hews had more crashes ben or Richard hammond 🤔 💭

[@mattwhitlock6062]

Great video. Ben and Ben together are a good combo. Please make more content.

[@manxman8008]

7.5 I had Golf GTI for 2 years - no probs - loved it

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

Some say he was intercepted by the police in a Caterham, racing to beat the lads building one... and that was also the day we learned he had a bladder.

[@ChrisPatrick-q6k]

WTF???😂

[@Hostilenemy]

The two Bens.... Benz :)

[@andljoy]

I live police interceptors Ben was always one of my favourites. The only problem i see for the interceptor is that you cannot not give the scallywags a bit of a kicking as the camera is on then :P

[@wretchedrider2157]

I love the challenge of understanding obscure accents of the world, and Ben's is fantastic! No subtitles needed, here! As a colonial, someone please educate me... somewhere Yorkshire?

[@wretchedrider2157]

Ben Pearson, that is...

[@DanStanek-fk4tz]

Yes, West Yorkshire specifically Bradford

[@wretchedrider2157]

@@DanStanek-fk4tz much obliged! 🍻

[@ofthenearfuture]

"Thin Blue Line" needs to go away and not be perpetuated... You weren't born a police officer, this is the job you chose. Be better.

[@PhilMacVee]

Brilliant piece of work. Thanks for inviting "Benny Boy" to share his anecdotes and wisdom. BTW I don't recognise him as I don't have need of a TV licence by not watching TV.

[@tomtalk24]

Brill!

[@raykaufman7156]

That was GREAT. But, yeah...subtitles...lol

[@HellhoundX90]

FTP!!!!

[@InitialP_Photography]

I always wanted to be a TC but it was the accidents I couldn't deal with.

[@MMCPN]

I agree a lot of people don't think of that side of it!! I definitely could not do that job... it would be great arresting baddies all day every day but going to an accident or a murder scene is definitely not for me... 12 years ago I found my next door neighbour hanging from a tree, I still see it every day and think about it every night when I go to bed, although it's been 12 years I don't know how to turn it off😔 this man definitely has my respect and admiration🙏🏾

[@jeremywentworth1833]

Always interesting what Ben has to say and after watching him for the last few years and never thought Coppers would suffer with nerves and mental health problems , hes a fantastic spokesman for mental health. I have never been the biggest Fan of the police but after been burgled last month and how fantastic West Yorkshire police have been my respect for the Police have gone up massively, never thought id say this but thanks West Yorkshire police.

[@stuartlindle4908]

Great video guys, I think Ben P should arrange for Ben C to go out on a few shifts with West Yorkshire Police and experience life in the interceptors eyes.

[@furianozaurus6457]

I think at least one of them is wearing a bulletproof vest right now 😂