Urgent Action Needed: Police Response to Tom Phillips Sighting Criticized
In the recent case of fugitive father Tom Phillips and his three children, Jayda, Maverick, and Ember, the situation has taken a new turn following a credible sighting near Marokopa. The sighting, recorded by pig hunters on October 3, revealed Phillips and the children, last seen together in December 2021, moving through the rugged terrain of the Waikato region. The video, showing them in wet-weather gear and camouflaged backpacks, has sparked outrage and concern regarding the New Zealand police's response time and strategy in tracking them down.
Dr. David Craig, a former detective superintendent and the "chief hunter" on the Australian reality show Hunted , has voiced strong criticism about how the police handled the situation. He emphasized that advanced technology, such as thermal drones and scent-tracking dogs, should have been deployed immediately after the sighting was reported. Craig pointed out that scent dogs are adept at tracking in bush environments, as they can detect human scents differently from the surrounding nature. He argued that the police's delay in fully mobilizing a search operation meant potentially losing precious time that could have been spent locating the missing family.
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The police's initial response involved patrols starting on the evening of the sighting, but it was not until the following day that a more extensive search was initiated, leaving several hours unaccounted for. Craig noted the importance of utilizing thermal imaging drones, stating that they could have quickly picked up heat signatures from the group, especially in a remote area where visibility is compromised. Given the camouflage gear worn by Phillips and the children, finding them with the naked eye would be a significant challenge.
Compounding the issue is the troubling fact that Phillips was seen carrying a firearm. This raises serious safety concerns not only for the children but also for anyone who might encounter them in the bush. Craig urged the public to report any sightings to the authorities rather than approach the family, stressing the potential risks involved.
As for the children's welfare, Craig expressed his concern over their current mental and physical condition, particularly under what he described as “coercive control” from their father. The sighting is a significant breakthrough, but it also underscores the urgent need for police to act decisively and effectively. The presence of masks on the children suggests they have been trained to evade detection, which raises further alarm about their state of mind.
Moreover, Craig pointed out that the sighting should have spurred a thorough investigation into local communities that might be aiding Phillips. He suspects that sympathetic locals could be providing support, making it crucial for the police to broaden their search and gather intelligence from the area. He noted that footprints and disturbances in the environment could help track the family's movements.
The implications of this situation extend beyond the immediate search for Phillips and his children. It raises critical questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement response to such cases and the safety of the children involved. The need for a well-coordinated search effort using modern technology has never been clearer. As the investigation continues, the hope remains that Jayda, Maverick, and Ember will soon be safely reunited with their family.
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