The Toowoomba Stock and Rural Crime Squad, may not be a name that is well known within the community. The squad may not be one that is particularly large. However, this is a group of professionals who tackle a mighty task, and have a job that often takes them down the road-less-traveled. We sat down with Detective Senior Sergeant Trevor Stephens, the Southern Area Coordinator for the SRCS to learn what it is that this Squad does for Australia, and how you could potentially become involved.
Q: How long has the SARCIS been active?
A: Well it was established in 1959. It used to be called the Stock Investigation Squad, but in 2007 there was a massive restructure and we were renamed the Stock and Rural Crime Squad. Before the restructure we mainly dealt with stock alone. However, with the new name it is more formal and allows us to become more involved with rural crime on a whole.
Q: What does the SARCIS actually do within the community?
A: We deal with rural crimes that are possibly a little bit out of the scope of the local Police. We generally focus on crimes in isolated areas where the offences may have gone across the borders of different divisions.
Q: How is it that the SARCIS can function across division borders?
A: We are a central functions unit, meaning, we may be stationed somewhere, say Toowoomba, but we can serve anywhere. We work without borders and are completely self-sufficient. Our vehicles are set up with a fridge and camping equipment because we are often stationed away from home for long periods of time.
Q: Seeing as you are often away from home, working in isolated, rural environments, is it necessary to come in to the Squad with prior knowledge of the country lifestyle?
A: You really must have a fair knowledge of the rural life and isolation. You need to know how to manage hard concepts that come with the nature of the job. We often find that urban city dwellers may not realise you can drive for up to 12 hours without seeing another person. The isolation we experience is extremely dangerous and you need to know how to cope with that. You can always teach someone the basics, but with only 36 men we often find there just isn’t enough time to teach someone the skills they need, that’s why we tend to only employ experienced stock-men with bush skills.
Q: You said there’s only 36 men, how many offices do you have across Queensland?
A: 10
Q: If someone is interested in joining the SARCIS, how would they do that?
A: It is just like any other role within the Police. You come through the academy and go in to the Police Force for a number of years before applying for a position when it becomes vacant.
Q: Is there any specific training required for this role?
A: We have a two week live in course once a year where we train candidates. We take members from Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, and have recently had an expression of interest from the Northern Territory. It is a no frills course where the candidates live in swags for two weeks. We set up cattle musters, and activities involving all facets of navigation. This course is intense and aims to replicate what you will be living like within the Squad.
Also, all Officers who come to work within SARCIS are qualified detectives and have completed the same training as any detective within a metropolitan force. We are often sent to major crimes so we need to be equipped with the same skills.
Q: So, do they make you muster in uniform, or are you in plain clothes?
A: Plain clothes.
Who do you think we should send a Q&A? What should we ask them? Send your list of questions to toowoomba@brisbanetimes.com.au and we’ll do our best to track down some answers.
