³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ly renowned Search and Rescue (SAR) expert Senior Sergeant Jim Whitehead-who has been described as Australia’s ‘grandfather of SAR’-didn’t even know police conducted search and rescue operations when he joined the Queensland Police Service 40 years ago.
He’d been in the job for five years and had just been transferred to Rathdowney Police Station when an incident occurred that sparked in him an enduring passion for the field of SAR.
“July 10, 1989, was a day that changed my life and will go down in the annals of SAR,” Senior Sergeant Whitehead said.
“Three bushwalkers were reported missing on Mount Barney, and I hadn’t a clue what to do.”
The bushwalkers were safely found, but Senior Sergeant Whitehead was determined to be better prepared for future incidents.
Bushwalkers go missing almost on a weekly basis in the Main Range, Lamington ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Park and Mount Barney areas.
Reports generally come in on a Sunday evening that loved family members have failed to return home from a weekend away, and Senior Sergeant Whitehead spent almost every Monday of the next nine years looking for lost people.
With no official training, he was initially mentored by a ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Parks and Wildlife ranger, and then later completed the Diploma 009 in Search and Rescue, which enabled him to become a SAR Coordinator.
The QPS currently has around 350 trained SAR Coordinators throughout the state who perform their day to day policing duties, but are ready to step into the role at a moment’s notice.
Senior Sergeant Whitehead’s nine years at Rathdowney were followed by seven years at Julia Creek, and then three years at Inala, still wearing the SAR hat in between general duties policing.
In 2006, he was offered his dream job as State SAR Coordinator and Training Officer, which is a full time role.
Senior Sergeant Whitehead said the role was unique in Australia and comprised two parts.
“The first part is guiding the SAR system, ensuring it can respond to any call for assistance at any time.
“It is an incredibly robust system, able to handle multiple incidents simultaneously. During the 18 days of searching for missing people in the aftermath of the Grantham floods in 2011, we also seamlessly coordinated another 54 SAR incidents elsewhere in the state.
“I provide advice, guidance and sometimes just a sounding board for any coordinator who seeks it, any time of the day or night.
“The second part of the job is training. I provide three levels of training to members-the Field Search Course, Diploma and Advanced Diploma.
“I’ve also had the privilege of teaching students from New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Seychelles and the United Arab Emirates, as well as interstate students on the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Police SAR Manager’s Course in Canberra.
“Since commencing in this role, our SAR capability has increased in leaps and bounds and we are now acknowledged as leading Australia.”
Senior Sergeant Whitehead is turning 60 this year and retired from the Service this week, leaving an incredible legacy not just for the QPS, but for all of Australia.
Part of this legacy is the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Search and Rescue Manual, which distils the wealth of knowledge and experience gained through decades of conducting SAR operations.
The manual originally focussed only on marine and aviation incidents, and in 2008 Senior Sergeant Whitehead was tasked to write a comprehensive supplementary manual on land search and rescues.
In 2016 he undertook the task of merging the two manuals into one, which now forms the basis for all SAR training and operations throughout the country.
The ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Search and Rescue Manual is one of only three such manuals worldwide and was formally adopted by Australia in October 2019.
Senior Sergeant Whitehead’s dedication and contribution to Australia’s SAR expertise almost cost him his life in 2000 when a 20-year-old woman was found deceased in western Queensland.
The woman’s car had broken down and she had set off on foot to find help, succumbing to heat stroke only 16km from the vehicle.
Family and experts believed it was not possible to die of heat stroke in such a short period and petitioned for a Coronial investigation.
Senior Sergeant Whitehead re-enacted the walk under almost exactly the same conditions, resulting in his suffering kidney failure and muscle wastage and being hospitalised.
The survivability evidence he provided not only foreshortened the Coronial inquest, but has contributed to the Lost Persons Behaviour Database, a statistical tool used to predict behaviour and determine search areas for missing children and adults.
On average, the QPS coordinates 3.2 SAR incidents daily, with around 2,200 lost and missing persons located annually.
“While SAR is a very small part of the policing field, it’s the only area where we continually save people’s lives.”
Senior Sergeant Whitehead said he was incredibly proud of the SAR Unit.
“In the past 18 years, I estimate we have coordinated more than 19,000 SAR incidents and located more than 25,000 people reported as lost or missing, many of whom would surely have otherwise passed away.
“This is thanks to the efforts and dedication of the more than 350 SAR trained QPS members and the 7,000 or so volunteers spread throughout the state who are regularly called out in all conditions to search for lost and missing people.
“While SAR is a very small part of the policing field, it’s the only area where we continually save people’s lives.
“From injured hikers stuck in Carnarvon Gorge to a small boy and his dad clinging to their overturned vessel many miles out to sea, SAR Coordinators are always there to respond.
“Despite our best efforts and a better than 99% success rate, there are still 10-20 people each year we don’t find.
“We never forget these people and are continually reviewing our processes and learning so we can provide the best service we possibly can.”
Senior Sergeant Jim Whitehead has been recognised by the QPS and nationally for his services to Search and Rescue.
In 2012, Senior Sergeant Whitehead was honoured with an award from the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Police Search and Rescue Manager’s Course (NPSARMC) in Canberra to recognise his outstanding service and dedication to SAR nationally.
In presenting the award, then-Director of the NPSARMC, Inspector Brian Edmonds of Tasmania Police, described him as the ‘grandfather of SAR’ and the ‘font of knowledge of all things SAR related’.
Senior Sergeant Whitehead has also received the QPS Meritorious Service Medal for services to SAR and in the 2022 Australia Day Honour’s List, he was recognised with an Australian Police Medal.
Over the years, he has become the first port of call for reviewing Coronial SAR incidents across Australia, and he will continue this role in his retirement.
Senior Sergeant Whitehead said his policing career had been incredibly rewarding and encouraged anyone looking for meaning and purpose in their careers to consider joining the QPS.
“Policing is the greatest job in the world, with so many paths to follow.
“I had no idea at the beginning where my policing career would lead me, but I found my niche in search and rescue.”
Senior Sergeant Whitehead’s journey from novice to renowned expert in his chosen field demonstrates that great police officers are not born, they’re made.
The Queensland Police Service is looking for applicants who seek purpose, direction and meaning from their careers in a different way than they have before.
There’s never been a better time to join the QPS. Visit policerecruit.com.au to take the eligibility quiz and see if you’ve got what it takes to become a police officer.
