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Over 200 officers equipped with long-range rifles are set to establish a new armed response unit aimed at swiftly addressing hate-related threats following the Bondi Beach terror incident.
This new, intelligence-driven command will focus on safeguarding high-risk locations, including religious sites, major gatherings, and significant events.
The unit will be comprised of 250 specialized police officers, supported by 28 civilian personnel, and will utilize a fleet of specially adapted rapid-response vehicles.
In response to the Bondi Beach attack, numerous officers were deployed to Sydney’s eastern suburbs as part of Operation Shelter.
Originally launched in October 2023, this task force was designed to counteract the rising tide of antisemitism and Islamophobia.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the new armed response command would, in effect, make Operation Shelter permanent.
“This will mean police officers who are armed with long arms that can be deployed in situations where there’s a concern about community safety, or there’s a need to ensure that there’s a large police presence,” Minns said.
Police minister Yasmin Catley said the new command would feature “some of the best policing you will see across the globe”.
“We know, unfortunately, that our climate has changed, we know that we have to have a response ready,” Catley said.
“This model is exactly that response that we need to rapidly deploy police to issues happening around our state and around our city at any given time.”
Catley said the police force would employ civilians deeply embedded in multicultural communities to let police know what is happening on the ground.
“These are the people that will assist police in letting us know what’s happening on the ground in any given community,” Catley said.
Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the horrific events of Bondi represented a change in the policing environment.
“Today’s announcement of the armed command is about saying we’re here for a permanent, preventative and rapid response for the community,” Lanyon said.
“What we saw on the 14th of December cannot happen again.
“I want the community to feel reassured.
“This command is about saying there will be a 24/7 presence across the metropolitian area with long arms capability.”
Police Association president Kevin Morton said the “first of its kind” in Australia command would benefit police and the community.
“It provides our police with the ability to respond quickly to any threat with the equivalent equipment to stop that threat,” Morton said.
“It also provides our frontline police with the real back-up they need to do their job.
“When it comes to protecting the community, it ensures all communities will be protected and no community will be left behind.”
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