Old ways won’t open new doors.
We are dedicated to helping organisations in promoting change in government and government agency procedures and approach to the long-term missing. Families of missing persons endure immense emotional and financial strain while searching for their loved ones, often without adequate support from authorities. There’s a pressing need for comprehensive reform in how missing persons cases are handled, including improved coordination, resource allocation, and adherence to recommendations. For these reasons and many more, we urge you to throw your support behind these organisations that are fighting for change.
Search Dogs Sydney’s Chris D’Arcy says:
” On Friday I attended the funeral for a 33 year old man that should not be deceased if it wasn’t for the sheer incompetence of the NSW Police and Emergency services in general. Firstly the police didn’t take his report seriously by the parents, then after 3 days missing he phoned 000 asking for a helicopter and described his location whilst being asked stupid questions by the operator for 20 minutes. The family continued to search for 3.5 months in the bushland, not locating their son but locating another missing man on Valentines Day 2024. This man was just 500m from his vehicle and emergency services supposedly searched these areas multiple times.
I’ve spent many a long hour attempting to garner support from a member of the NSW MLC to support an ePetition, however in an email they have advised that they’re too scared to take on the NSW Police. Subsequently, we are going old school with a paper petition.
Thankfully, this only requires 10,000 signatures.
I am reaching out to you and your amazing team of supporters to assist us in gathering the signatures required. We are attempting to garner the required numbers by 12 May 2024.”
Parliamentary Inquiry Request – Summary
The document outlines several critical issues regarding missing persons cases in New South Wales, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by families and the shortcomings of law enforcement agencies. Here’s a summarised breakdown:
1. Families’ Struggle: Families of missing persons endure immense emotional and financial strain while searching for their loved ones, often without adequate support from authorities.
2. Scope of the Problem: There are over 2500 long-term missing persons cases reported in Australia, with insufficient resources allocated for searches and investigations.
3. Call for Parliamentary Inquiry: There’s a strong plea for a Parliamentary Inquiry to investigate police actions regarding missing persons and address the lack of oversight in long-term missing persons cases.
4. Law Enforcement Challenges: Law enforcement faces significant challenges in managing missing persons cases, including inadequate resources, training, and support.
5. National Responsibility: Missing persons cases have risen dramatically, reaching approximately 55,000 reports in 2022, with varying responses from law enforcement agencies across the country. We need to start here in New South Wales.
6. Search Efforts: Private organisations, such as Search Dogs Sydney Inc, offer support in search operations, but face challenges in collaboration with law enforcement agencies.
7. Failures in Collaboration: Despite efforts by volunteer organisations, collaboration with law enforcement is hindered by bureaucratic obstacles and lack of support.
8. Inadequate Standards: There’s a lack of national accreditation standards for canine search teams, leading to inconsistencies in search operations and effectiveness.
9. Coronial Investigations: Recommendations from coronial investigations are not consistently followed by law enforcement agencies, highlighting systemic issues in addressing missing persons cases.
10. Need for Reform: There’s a pressing need for comprehensive reform in how missing persons cases are handled, including improved coordination, resource allocation, and adherence to recommendations.
11. Public Engagement: Law enforcement agencies need to engage the public effectively in missing persons cases, utilising available technologies and community resources.
12. Call to Action: The document calls for urgent action, including the establishment of an independent oversight organization and a thorough inquiry into missing persons cases statewide.
Overall, the document underscores the urgency of addressing systemic issues and improving responses to missing persons cases in New South Wales.
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