Australian Police Deploying Officers with Assault Rifles in Sydney Streets
NSW Police's new Armed Response Command will conduct visible patrols in high-risk areas and at major events.
Officers armed with military-style assault rifles are now a regular presence on Sydney streets as part of the New South Wales Police Force's new Armed Response Command (ARC). The unit began its first patrols of the city on Sunday, aiming to provide a permanent, highly trained, and intelligence-led policing capability.
The ARC comprises over 200 officers equipped with Australian Combat Assault Rifles, a weapon manufactured by Lithgow Arms. According to a NSW Police statement, the unit is designed to deter, prevent, and respond to serious armed threats. ARC officers will conduct routine, high-visibility patrols in priority locations, places of mass gathering, and at major events.
ARC officers undergo extensive training, including months-long instruction in the use of long-arm rifles and specialized driving techniques to ensure quicker response times. The establishment of this command follows the alleged terror attack on Bondi Beach on December 14, which resulted in 15 fatalities during a Jewish celebration.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Evans, the ARC Commander, stated that the unit was created to prevent future tragedies similar to the Bondi incident. He indicated that the unit was developed based on international best practices and enhanced capabilities to avert further loss of life. "I want to reassure the community that this command has been built from the ground up with one overriding purpose: preserving life," Evans said. "The tragic events at Bondi demonstrated the devastating consequences when an alleged armed offender attacks innocent people."
The NSW Government has invested $94 million in the ARC. Upon completion, the command will consist of 250 full-time officers and 28 civilian support and intelligence staff. Traditionally, police officers in NSW have carried handguns, with larger firearms being reserved for specialized tactical operations. The ARC will also collaborate with Operation Shelter, an initiative launched in October 2023 to address incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia.
