Rifle-armed cops to train in public after Bondi massacre as Armed Response Command unit unveiled

A police unit established following the Bondi Beach massacre will begin carrying long-armed rifles in public places in its latest phase of training.

NSW Premier Chris Minns announced the Armed Response Command unit in February, which has been allocated $94m in funding.

It was established following an anti-Semitic attack in December, during which 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach were killed.

The unit is set to patrol high-risk areas and be present at places of worship and major events, and operate around the clock.

At full capacity, it will have 250 dedicated officers and 28 civilian staff, as well as access to specialised cars and assault rifles.

Mr Minns said the public should expect to see the officers carrying the long-armed rifles in public as they enter the next phase of their training.

He said the unit was introduced to respond to changing security challenges faced in the state.

“We hope these officers are never called on to respond to a major incident,” he said.

“But if one happens, NSW Police are ready.”

Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the presence of the unit was set to act as a deterrent for potential offenders.

The unit will take over patrols from Operation Shelter, established in October 2023 amid a rise in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents in the state.

According to its latest figures, the operation recorded 815 incidents considered anti-Semitic or Islamophobic in nature as well as other incidents that fall into neither category, with more than 230 people arrested.

The accuracy and veracity of these numbers have been questioned after it was revealed nearly 370 anti-Semitic incidents were incorrectly categorised dozens of times.

“The evidence is in ... segments of our community feel unsafe, it’s usually because of their faith,” Mr Minns said in February.