Starting Sunday, New South Wales police are deploying a permanent special unit carrying military-style rifles to patrol tourist destinations, crowded public spaces, major events, and places of worship across Sydney. The establishment of the Armed Response Command follows testimony at the royal commission into antisemitism indicating that officers responding to the December Bondi massacre were outgunned by attackers wielding rifles while police carried standard 9mm Glock pistols.
The new unit comprises 200 specially trained officers operating specialist vehicles and highly visible long-arm firearms. Unit commander Det Supt Andrew Evans stated that the initiative is grounded in the principle of preserving life to ensure readiness during critical incidents.
The rollout has drawn a mixed response from community representatives, experts, and civil liberties advocates. Sections of the Jewish community, including the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, welcomed the presence as a necessary deterrent and protection following the Bondi tragedy. However, the Jewish Council of Australia cautioned that heavily armed patrols do not address the root causes of violence and hatred.
Security experts and civil liberties groups have also expressed concern. While some acknowledge the need to harden security around high-risk locations, others warn of potential "mission creep," an American-style militarization of the police force, and the risk of pushing threats toward softer targets. The NSW Council for Civil Liberties called for explicit legislative restrictions to ensure the combat assault rifles are strictly controlled and not deployed at public protests.
