Real-World Investigation and Compliance Training with Stuart Bateson APM
VMBSG is pleased to be working with Ryt Business Solutions to deliver practical, scenario-based training designed to support local government officers, building teams and compliance professionals in the important work they do every day.
If you have previously attended training delivered by Ryt, you will already know this is not “sit back and listen” professional development. Led by highly experienced trainer Stuart Bateson APM, the sessions are practical, engaging and grounded in real-world experience.
Stuart brings a rare combination of frontline investigation expertise, operational leadership, humour and storytelling. He has the ability to take serious and complex subject matter, including investigations, interviews, risk, conflict and compliance, and make it memorable, relatable and useful for officers working in regulatory and compliance environments.
Ryt Business Solutions provides tailored training across investigative and compliance training, situational awareness and officer safety, and courtroom and legal procedure training. Their programs focus on practical skills including evidence gathering, case preparation, interviewing, witness statements, risk assessment, de-escalation, conflict resolution, legal processes and giving effective evidence.
The training is hands-on and designed to help officers build confidence, improve decision-making and support more professional, defensible enforcement outcomes.
Meet lead trainer Stuart Bateson APM
Stuart Bateson is a highly respected former Victoria Police officer with more than 33 years in law enforcement. His career included significant roles in homicide investigations, organised crime and counter-terrorism, as well as senior operational leadership as a Victoria Police Commander.
During his time with Victoria Police, Stuart spent 12 years with the Homicide Squad, leading complex investigations, preparing legal briefs for the Supreme Court and mentoring fellow officers. His work across high-risk and complex operational environments has given him a deep understanding of investigation processes, officer safety, communication under pressure and sound evidence gathering.
Stuart is also an Australian Police Medal recipient, holds a Master of Business and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Management, and is a Rotary Peace Fellow. Since retiring from Victoria Police in 2021, he has continued his commitment to training and mentoring by supporting local government officers and compliance professionals to investigate effectively, manage risk and handle challenging situations with confidence.
But Stuart’s training is not just valuable because of his impressive career. It is valuable because of the way he delivers it.
Anyone who has completed training with Ryt Business Solutions will know Stuart is not your average presenter. His sessions are sharp, practical, highly engaging and often genuinely entertaining. He brings humour, honesty and a very human perspective to the realities of investigation, communication and decision-making under pressure.
For those wanting a glimpse of Stuart’s presentation style and personality, his interview with John Silvester in the Naked City series is a great watch. It gives a real sense of the humour, warmth and storytelling ability Stuart brings to his training, along with the extraordinary experience that sits behind it.
You can watch the interview here:
https://youtu.be/QwHEo11Z4TQ?si=DrTUu-5Wkqcf5Nfr
Stuart’s story has also featured in Channel 9’s Naked City series, with Episode 1 focusing on Stuart’s story. The episode provides further insight into the high-profile investigations and policing environments that shaped his career.
You can view the episode on 9Now here:
https://www.9now.com.au/naked-city-hitmen/season-1/episode-1
Some may also recognise Stuart’s story from Channel 9’s Underbelly series, where he was portrayed by Rodger Corser, reflecting the public interest in some of the complex investigations and policing work he was involved in during his career.
Why this training matters
For municipal building surveyors, building inspectors and council compliance teams, effective enforcement relies on more than technical knowledge alone.
Officers are often required to gather information, manage difficult conversations, assess risk, prepare evidence, make sound decisions and, where required, support matters through formal processes.
Training that brings these elements together in a practical way is invaluable.
Ryt’s approach helps participants strengthen the skills that sit behind good regulatory outcomes, including how to ask better questions, record information clearly, manage challenging interactions, prepare reliable evidence and understand the importance of officer safety and situational awareness.
These are the skills that help officers feel more confident in the field and better prepared when matters become complex, contested or escalated.
Professional development with real-world impact
VMBSG is excited to offer members access to training that is practical, relevant and highly engaging.
Stuart’s depth of experience, engaging presentation style and ability to bring real scenarios to life make these sessions both memorable and immediately useful. Participants are not just hearing theory. They are learning from someone who has spent decades applying these skills in high-pressure, real-world environments, and who knows how to bring those lessons to life in a way that sticks.
For councils and practitioners working in building control and compliance, this is an excellent opportunity to build capability, strengthen confidence and support consistent, defensible decision-making in everyday practice.
More details about upcoming VMBSG training opportunities with Ryt Business Solutions will be shared with members soon. Or, to book in now contact Rob Mitchelmore directly.