Police have confirmed they’ve previously called on the Defence Force to assist in the search for fugitive Marokopa father Tom Phillips and his three children.
Outgoing Police Commissioner Andrew Coster revealed the presence of the Defence Force in the police investigation during an interview with Q+A earlier today.
“I can assure you that support has been called on through the course of this operation,” Coster said, without elaborating on specific details of the military’s involvement.
Footage of the group was shared for the first time since they went missing, after the group were spotted by young pig hunters earlier this month.
Speaking to Q+A, Coster was asked whether he had considered asking the Prime Minister to instruct the Armed forces to help in the search for Phillips and his children.
Police say it’s the first confirmed sighting of all three since they went missing in the Waikato area nearly three years ago. (Source: 1News)
“In the situation, there’s actually no need for an instruction to be given. That is very much at the highest end of a threat where that situation would play out.
“Police has ready access on request to support from the Defence Force, and I can assure you that that support has been called on through the course of this operation.
“I won’t go into the details, but we have the support that we need, and I’m very confident that the team there has been carefully balancing, you know, the risk of confrontation against the risk of ongoing, you know, inability to bring these children back.”
The fugitive father has been sought by police for many months, and there is a warrant for his arrest related to aggravated robbery, aggravated wounding, and unlawful possession of a firearm. He does not have legal custody of the children.
Police have urged people who have credible, current information to “come forward now”. (Source: 1News)
Footage from a sighting showed Phillips and his children – Phillips and Jayda, 11, Maverick, nine, and Ember, eight – tramping behind their father, who was carrying a rifle.
However, an ensuing three-day land and air-assisted search in the Marokopa area located “nothing of significance” earlier this month.
The Defence Force refused to give any further details about its involvement with the Marokopa search, when contacted by 1News for comment.
“The New Zealand Defence Force are ready to support the police as needed. Any further enquiries should be directed to police,” a spokesperson said.
Andrew Coster was interviewed by Q+A’s Jack Tame. (Source: 1News)
In his wide-ranging interview with Q+A, the outgoing police commissioner was questioned about his time in the top job and his reflections on the role.
Q+A with Jack Tame is made with the support of New Zealand On Air
