Treacherous terrain: the search for alleged police killer Dezi Freeman

A large-scale hunt is underway for Dezi Freeman, the so-called sovereign citizen who allegedly killed two Victorian Police officers while they were attempting to execute a search warrant.

Freeman fled into the bushland surrounding the Porepunkah property in Victoria’s high country and remains on the run.

Police have described him as an experienced bushman who’s more at home in the mountainous area than they are.

With snow-capped peaks, fog and winter rain hampering the search in the treacherous terrain, what tactics and technology do police have at their disposal?

Initial responses

In cases such as the Porepunkah killings, there are several distinct policing responses.

The first is primarily to prevent any further danger to the public and ensure officer safety.

After rendering assistance to the officers shot, police seek to contain and isolate the suspect. It was for this reason people from the local area were told to stay indoors and the local school was locked down.

Cordons are set up around the incident area to prevent the escape of Freeman and to stop members of the public entering the operational area.

Specialist police response

Responses to critical incidents such as this require specialist support.

Victoria Police has called in officers from the Special Operations Group (SOG) and Fugitive Squad in the hunt for Freeman.

The SOG is an elite squad that responds to armed offender and terrorism incidents and specialises in high-risk searches.

The Critical Incident Response Team is also involved in the hunt for Freeman.

This team provides support to officers at violent confrontations – they’ll likely act as negotiators when Freeman is located.

Read more: Why are police a target for sovereign citizen violence?

The second arm of the police response is the homicide investigation into the deaths of the police officers.

For this, specialist units such as the homicide and armed crime squads have been deployed to investigate the lead-up and circumstances of the deaths, and gather all available evidence with a view to charging and prosecuting the suspect.

In addition to this, there will be an internal investigation of the police actions leading to the alleged shootings, to learn what lessons can be drawn from this event.

Other assets deployed for the search

A no-fly zone has been established around the area, and Mt Buffalo National Park has been closed to the public.

Police have helicopters and drones in the air, some with infrared imaging capacity.

A police helicopter’s infrared system works by detecting heat radiation emitted by objects. This allows police to see heat sources, such as people or vehicles, in the dark or through fog.

Specialist vehicles including armoured Bearcats are also now in the search area.

These vehicles are bullet-resistant, blast-resistant and used in dangerous and hostile situations.

Bearcats have enhanced off-road capability that will allow them to get into rugged areas.

An air ambulance has also been seen in the area.

The dense bushland around Mt Buffalo is full of caves, rocky outcrops and rugged four-wheel drive tracks, so local knowledge is crucial.

The specialist units will be coordinating closely with local police to mine that knowledge.

Ongoing investigations

As they hunt for Freeman, police will also be monitoring his digital footprint – in particular his phone – to try to triangulate his location.

Police will be trawling his social media and local contacts to see who can help with information about Freeman and his possible location.

The specialist units will be coordinating closely with local police to use their knowledge of the rugged bushland to assist in their hunt.

The chief commissioner of Victoria Police has stated all resources available have been put into the search for Freeman.

Given the terrain around the incident area, this will be no easy task.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.