Victorian Police Officer's Son Sues Force Over Arrest During Cop Killer Search
Jeremy Sloan, the 32-year-old son of a Victorian police officer, is taking Victoria Police to court over his alleged treatment during the search for alleged cop killer Dezi Freeman. Sloan and his partner, Sarah Naylor, 30, were arrested at gunpoint by police and detained for several hours while officers searched his parents' property. According to an interview Sloan gave with the ABC, he had never met nor had any connection to Freeman, and his mother is also a serving police officer with the Victorian force.
Legal Action Aims to Prevent Future Incidents
The lawsuit has been filed in a bid to prevent similar treatment of other members of the public in the future, as reported by the ABC. Sloan is seeking compensation for psychological harm he says he suffered during the incident. Victoria Police told 7NEWS.com.au they had yet to receive a writ in relation to the matter, stating, "We have nothing further at this time." This legal action follows a number of high-profile search operations for Freeman, which saw a significant police presence in the area for multiple weeks.
Background of the Cop Killer Case
Dezi Freeman allegedly fatally shot two police officers, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, who were executing a search warrant at Freeman's home in Porepunkah in northeast Victoria on August 26, 2025. A third officer suffered serious injuries to his leg, although he has never been publicly named. The search warrant was in relation to alleged historical sexual offences that had happened over the past two years. Following the shooting, Freeman fled into nearby dense bushland and has not been seen since.
Massive Search Efforts and Reward
Less than a month later, police announced a $1 million reward for the arrest of the alleged cop killer, the largest reward offered for an arrest in Victoria's history. The Mount Buffalo National Park has been at the centre of the large-scale police search effort. Subsequent searches deployed hundreds of officers and volunteers, including specialist search and rescue teams, drones, and cadaver dogs. Victoria Police has been contacted for further comment on the ongoing situation.
