Police scale back manhunt for accused cop killer Dezi Freeman after month of searching
The number of police on the ground in Porepunkah looking for alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman has been scaled back significantly since the shooting over a month ago.
There has been no official sighting of Freeman after he allegedly killed officers Neal Thompson, 59, and Vadim De Waart-Hottart, 34, at a semi-rural property in Victoria's High Country on August 26.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush today said the number of officers still in Porepunkah remained at over 200, marking less than half the amount of authorities that were combing the area for Freeman weeks ago.
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Dezi Freeman has not been seen since August 26. 9News
Bush provided an update on the man hunt during a memorial for fallen officers in Melbourne today, where he said police officers around the country are still "hurting".
"At the height we had nearly 500 officers up there conducting the search, investigating and providing reassurance to the community," Bush said.
"At the moment, we have in excess of 200 officers there.
"We will continue to rotate police officers through there, a) conducting searches, b) continuing the investigation and c) providing reassurance to the community who needs it."
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Police searching a small cave during manhunt for accused gunman Freeman. 9News
Bush said police have so far searched 40-square-kilometre area by foot and air to find Freeman.
The month-long search has involved mineshafts, caves, huts and properties in Porepunkah and surrounding regions.
"It's extremely challenging. We have to often revisit things we've already searched to make sure we haven't missed anything," Bush added.
"And we will not give up until we find that person."
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Porepunkah seen covered in morning fog on September 9. Eddie Jim
Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Mike Bush. 9News
He said other state police forces, as well as New Zealand, have offered support in the continued search for Freeman.
Bush said crews on the ground will continue to utilise their resources.
After offering a reward of $1 million for any information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible, there has been an uptick in tips from the public.
About 1400 pieces of information have been given by members of the public.
"None of them have lead to any positive leads, but we explore them," Bush said.
Police are still pursuing a number of theories regarding Freeman's whereabouts.
Bush told reporters police still can't rule out anything.
"We will pursue all of those likelihoods," he said.
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