Desperate police search continues for Edmonton senior constable Scott Duff
Police from across Queensland have joined a desperate search for missing Cairns senior constable Scott Duff, who was last seen on Monday. LATEST.
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A search for a “much loved and valued” senior constable is stretching into a week with police yet to find any trace of the missing 50-year-old.
Scott Duff has been missing from Edmonton since Monday, April 8.
On Friday, it was revealed police from Townsville and the southeast corner had joined the search which has included SES officers, the Rescue 510 helicopter and drones.
“Detectives are investigating unconfirmed sightings across the southern corridor area and are encouraging anyone with relevant CCTV in the Edmonton and Bentley Park areas on Monday April 8 to come forward, especially households and businesses backing onto bushland and creek reserves,” a police spokesperson said on Friday.
“Police are grateful for the community’s continued co-operation during the search, however are urging members of the public not to undertake searches of bushland for their own safety.”
Superintendent Monique Ralph addressed the media late Wednesday afternoon to appeal to residents in neighbouring suburb Bentley Park to check their CCTV.
“Unfortunately, we’ve not located any sign of Senior Constable Scott Duff at present,” she said at 4pm Wednesday.
“We’ve been able to piece together a trail and we’ve been able to eliminate some areas.
“We have now got these new search areas that we’re looking into which has come about from information from the community.
“We’re now asking residents to check their CCTV in the vicinity of Bundey St, Cadell St, Fitzmaurice Drive, Capricorn St, Laidley Close, Whela Close, Lora Close and Hamelin St, near the Cadell Street Park, and we’re specifically looking for anything in the westerly direction.
“Anyone with any CCTV footage or dashcam footage in those areas between 1pm and 6:30pm on Monday, is urged to contact us.”
Police were also initially seeking CCTV or dashcam vision near Walker Rd, Timberlea Drive and Fitzmaurice Drive between 1pm and 4pm on Monday.
The search has involved several crews including the Tactical Crime Squad, State Emergency Services volunteers and assets including drones and the Rescue 510 helicopter.
Superintendent Ralph said Mr Duff last worked on the weekend, describing his disappearance as “very much out of character”.
She said there was no evidence so far of foul play.
“Scott is a much loved and valued member of the Queensland Police Service as well as the community,” she said.
“He’s a very well respected officer in that southern corridor having worked at Edmonton, Gordonvale and down in that area for roughly the last 20 years.
“Scott is a husband, a father, a son and his family are obviously desperate to try and find him.
“We’re working very closely with his family and providing them with as much support as we can.
“Obviously it’s a very difficult time for them and we’re respecting their privacy.
“His disappearance is also having an effect on our local police and our community, and we’ve been extremely overwhelmed with the support that the community has provided us.”
Senior Constable Duff was last seen wearing a dark blue/grey T-shirt, grey shorts, khaki shoes and a grey baseball cap.
He is caucasian, about 188cm tall with grey hair and hazel eyes.
The greater Edmonton community has shown an “overwhelming” amount of support to QPS and SES search efforts, Superintendent Ralph said, with donations of water and snacks at the Edmonton SES unit on Hambledon Drive.
Edmonton local Jennifer Grey dropped off a pack of water bottles and a bag full of fruit and snacks for those helping with the search.
“I grew up just down the road from Scott for about eight years or so, so I’ve known him for quite a while,” she said.
“We always saw him around and he was the adopt-a-cop for our school.
“Everyone liked him and he got along with anyone.
“We wanted to come down and drop a few things off to help out, but we hope he comes home soon safe and sound.”
Far Northern Regional Queensland Police Union representative Dion Readman said the senior constable was well-liked and well-known among the police and in the community.
“He has served the community for over 20 years in Edmonton and Gordonvale,” he said.
“He is very respected by his colleagues and in and around the Edmonton area.
“He is married with a couple of kids and we hope he turns ups safe and well as soon as possible.”
Senior Constable Duff also spent time working in Yarrabah when he was younger and held a strong connection with community.
“It would have been … years ago he was working in our community, he is a good man he helped give a lot of guidance,” a member of the Yarrabah community said.
“He was really helpful and supportive to me and the boys he took under his wing.
“It’s been a while since he worked in Yarrabah but when I saw him in Edmonton he always said hello, it was good to see each other.
“I hope they find him soon for his family.”
Anyone with information about his whereabouts, or any CCTV or dashcam footage of the area from Monday, is urged to contact police.
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Originally published as Desperate police search continues for Edmonton senior constable Scott Duff
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