The surfboard of a detective who never returned from a surf has washed up on a beach undamaged 24 hours after he went missing.
A water, land and aerial search for Queensland Detective Inspector Jay Notaro, 45, continued in far northern NSW on Wednesday, a day after he failed to report for duty at Ipswich Police Station, west of Brisbane.
It will enter its third day on Thursday.
Officers found his car and keys in a carpark at Broken Head on Byron Bay’s southern fringe.
Search crews discovered Insp Notaro’s surfboard on a beach 500m away.
The lack of damage to the board, and the benign conditions of the surf made his disappearance all the more perplexing.
‘The condition of that surfboard was unremarkable – there was no damage and the leg rope was fully intact,’ NSW Detective Inspector Matt Zimmer said.
‘The inspector is a very strong swimmer who is a previous officer in charge of the Queensland water police … and the condition that presented over the past few days were quite calm.
The search for award-winning detective inspector Jay Notaro (pictured) was launched about 12.40pm on Tuesday but he was still missing 18 hours later on Wednesday morning
Police have found his car, car keys and an intact surfboard at Broken Head
‘He would be extremely capable of managing those conditions due to his experience, (he was) an extremely fit man as well.’
Insp Notaro quickly rose through the ranks as a homicide investigator after first joining Queensland police in Townsville in 2003.
Insp Notaro was instrumental in solving major cases including the bikie-linked slaying of Gold Coast victim Greg Dufty.
He received a ‘compassion in policing’ award by the Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group for support he offered Mr Dufty’s partner and family.
The top cop then served in roles including officer in charge of the Gold Coast water police and Coomera police station.
Insp Notaro was recently transferred to Ipswich after being promoted to Inspector.
A squadron of emergency services made up of Queensland Police, water police, the Queensland Polair and surf lifesavers has taken part in the search efforts.
‘The search will focus on the areas between Lennox Head and Cape Byron, particularly the Broken Head area,’ a NSW police spokeswoman said.
The search is focusing on the areas between Lennox Head and Cape Byron both in the ocean and on the land
Cross-Border Commissioner and former Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers remains hopeful that Insp Notaro will be found alive.
The pair have known each other for many years.
‘Jay is one of the most competent and capable coppers I know, who has a great future in the police,’ Mr Leavers told the Courier Mail
‘He is a future leader of the police, especially in the higher ranks. I just hope he is found safely and we have a really good outcome.
‘He is not only a friend, he is one of the future leaders of the organisation. I’m praying, he’s just a champion.
‘If we had more coppers like that we would be a better organisation.’
Insp Notaro quickly rose through the ranks as a homicide investigator after first joining Queensland police in Townsville in 2003
Queensland Police earlier confirmed an officer was reported missing Tuesday afternoon.
‘Officers and the member’s family are concerned for their welfare due to the disappearance being considered out of character,’ a spokesman said.
‘Anyone with information that may be able to assist with the whereabouts of the member is asked to contact police.’
Colleagues were rocked by news of Insp Notaro’s disappearance.
‘Everyone is a bit shocked and hoping for the best,’ a senior officer said.
