Police with long-arm rifles begin patrolling in Sydney

Police with access to long-arm rifles and extra fast vehicles will begin patrolling in Sydney today.

The Armed Response Command (ARC), which was created in response to the Bondi terror attack that left 14 people dead, will allow NSW Police to respond to terrorism events quickly.

It will also provide extra security to high-profile events.

The officers in ARC have been specially trained for months in using long-arm rifles, as well as advanced driver training courses, which will allow them to drive purpose-built vehicles that are faster and have more security.

NSW Police Minister, Yasmin Catley, said lessons had been learned after the Bondi attack, where uniformed police officers with pistols were forced to confront two alleged shooters who had multiple long-arm rifles.

“This is about backing our police with the capability they need to detect threats early and respond rapidly when the community needs them,” she said in a statement.

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The ARC has been set up using $94 million in state government funding, and will conduct “high-visibility patrols at priority locations, major events, crowded public spaces, sporting venues and places of worship.”

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed last month that ARC will not be deployed during protests or prolonged sieges.

ARC will eventually consist of 250 full-time officers and 28 civilian support and intelligence staff.

ARC Commander, Detective Superintendent Andrew Evans, said the establishment of ARC is an important step in ensuring the safety of millions of Sydneysiders, as well as tourists from around the country and the world.

“I want to reassure the community that this command has been built from the ground up with one overriding purpose: preserving life,” he said.

“The tragic events at Bondi demonstrated the devastating consequences when an alleged armed offender attacks innocent people. 

“Since that time, we have looked at international best practice and strengthened our capabilities to prevent another tragedy.”

ARC became operational at midnight on November 1, and while it will initially run alongside Operation Shelter, designed to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia, Operation Shelter will eventually be scaled back.