Heavily armed police officers have begun patrolling Sydney's streets as part of enhanced security measures following a deadly attack at Bondi Beach last year. The Armed Response Command (ARC) will see specially trained officers carrying long-arm rifles in busy tourist areas and at major events, including sports matches and places of worship. New South Wales police stated the unit's purpose is to prevent, deter, and rapidly respond to serious threats, particularly active armed offender incidents.
Last December, 15 people were killed when two gunmen opened fire during an event marking the Jewish festival of Hanukkah at the popular beach. The incident marked Australia's most severe mass shooting in nearly three decades and led to significant gun law reforms and a crackdown on hate speech.
The visible presence of armed officers has elicited varied responses from the public. Some residents have expressed unease, describing the sight of heavily armed police as "unnerving." Conversely, others have stated that the presence of armed officers makes them feel safer.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Evans highlighted that the ARC is designed to be highly visible, utilizing specialist vehicles and carrying rifles, with its core principle being "preserving life." The December 14 shooting placed considerable pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government, with demands for immediate action against antisemitism.
While Jewish communities have welcomed the new police operation, which is planned to eventually involve 250 officers, human rights organizations have voiced concerns. Amnesty International Australia expressed worries about the "militarisation of policing" and sought assurances that the ARC would not be used to suppress peaceful protests. The organization called for clear, publicly accessible rules and robust independent oversight to accompany any expansion of police powers.
New South Wales officials have defended the measures, with Police Minister Yasmin Catley stating, "Our world changed forever. That's just the truth of it, right across this country. And I said it at the time, we will never be the same again."
One of the alleged gunmen, Naveed Akram, faces 78 charges, including 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder, and one count of committing a terrorist act. His father, Sajid Akram, who was also armed and fired into the crowd, was killed by police at the scene.