‘Old school’ tactic that could flush out Dezi Freeman
A veteran crime reporter has begged police to deploy an “old-school” tactic - starting today - to flush out accused cop killer Dezi Freeman.
A former Australian Federal Police boss has revealed why the public has been kept in the dark about specific operational details in the search for Dezi Freeman — as a veteran crime reporter begs police to deploy an “old-school” tactic in the manhunt.
As the search continues, the Australian Defence Force has been brought in to provide technology “on another level” to help track down alleged police killer.
The self-described sovereign citizen is armed and has been on the run for nine days after allegedly fatally shooting two policeman – Detective Leading Constable Neal Thompson and Constable Vadim De Waart – last Tuesday in the town of Porepunkah, while executing a warrant for alleged historic child sex offences at Freeman’s home.
The accused murderer, 56, is an experienced bushman and police suspect he may be receiving help from a connection to ensure he is not caught.
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David Craig, a former Australian Federal Police detective superintendent, said it was clear investigators are becoming “frustrated” in the mammoth manhunt.
“This isn’t a particularly unusual thing for the military to be involved in a major operation. We’re not talking about the military parachuting in and running around in Bushmasters. We’re talking about a level of technology and expertise that a civilian power normally doesn’t have,” he told Seven’s Sunrise.
Asked to elaborate, Mr Craig said the technology is not publicly known so he was “not comfortable” to list what they are.
He described them as “on another level”.
“The operation will still be led by Victorian Police who are doing a very good job with this,” the ex top cop said.
“They just need some additional technical support, and in some cases similar to this where the military have not been involved, they’ve gone unresolved in these manhunts.”
‘Old school tactic’
Investigators have also been implored to put out a bounty to catch Freeman, who is believed to still be in the wilderness after he fled towards Mount Buffalo National Park.
John Silvester, a veteran crime reporter with more than four decades of experience, said police have to use an “old school” tactic to catch him given the cost of the operation of that magnitude – involving hundreds of officers and multiple departments – can cost up to $200,000 per day.
“It’s pretty simple. We go old school today and that is you put in a bounty – $250,000 for Dezi Freeman,” he said on 3AW’s Ross and Russ.
“And that would mean anyone who was harbouring (him) could think, ‘hmm, I can do pretty well here with one phone call’.”
One of the hosts argued the move could encourage bounty hunters – someone who captures fugitives for a reward – to join the mammoth search in rugged, dense terrain.
Mr Silvester said police can stop anyone with a cordoned zone.
“The reality is $250,000 out now and get this matter dealt with. That’s the really easy thing. The last thing we need is a mystery,” he said.
Mr Craig argued a bounty did not always work.
He said the sovereign movement and the “very hard ideological group” he was a part of would not simply “roll over” and talk to police for a cash reward.
The ex cop referenced his involvement in the New Zealand case of Tom Phillips who vanished with his three young kids from the town of Marokopa days before Christmas in 2021 after a dispute with the mother of the children.
Police refused to call in the military for assistance and a reward of $80,000 was later offered in 2024 but they were never found.
Investigators say Phillips – who does not have legal custody of the kids – was believed to be spotted on CCTV with one of the children trying to break into a business last week.
Message to Freeman
Police have urged Freeman to surrender to the authorities before the funerals of the two slain officers on Friday and Monday.
More than 100 properties have been searched over the past nine days.
But the manhunt has been “complex” and “difficult”, Chief Commissioner Mike Bush told reporters on Wednesday in an update.
“He does not deserve to be protected,” he said, after investigators say they believed the 56-year-old was being helped by someone.
“This person needs to be in custody, held accountable and kept away from the community.
“Our resolve and determination grows by the day to bring this to a safe conclusion. The community and Victoria Police would love to see this resolved before those funerals.”
Freeman’s wife, Amalia, has been interviewed in relation to criminal matters but is yet to provide a formal statement through her lawyer.
She may be charged with obstructing investigators on the day of the shooting.
Do you know more or have a story? Email david.wu1@news.com.au.
Originally published as ‘Old school’ tactic that could flush out Dezi Freeman
