In brief
Sydney police have launched a 250‑officer unit, the Armed Response Command, armed with Australian combat assault rifles and costing A$94 million. The unit will patrol major events, crowded public spaces, sporting venues and places of worship after a December 2025 antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach that killed 15 people. Amnesty International Australia has warned that the move raises serious questions about the militarisation of policing and human‑rights safeguards.
Police with assault rifles have begun patrolling the streets of Sydney, an unprecedented move in Australia, after a December 2025 attack on a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach that killed 15 people.
The new unit, called the Armed Response Command, comprises 250 officers trained and equipped with Australian combat assault rifles. The unit was organised at a cost of A$94 million, which equals about US$66 million.
The command will deploy to major events, crowded public spaces, sporting venues and places of worship to conduct "high visibility" patrols, according to the New South Wales State Police.
"The tragic events at Bondi demonstrated the devastating consequences when an alleged armed offender attacks innocent people," the commander said.
"ARC ensures we have highly trained officers in the right places, with the right equipment, ready to act when seconds matter."
The December 2025 assault was carried out by two men who opened fire on a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people and injuring dozens. Investigators said the attackers were motivated by Islamic State ideology.
This is the first time that heavily armed police officers patrol Australian streets, a measure that marks a significant shift in how security is approached in the country.
Amnesty International Australia said the introduction of heavily armed police patrols in Sydney raised "serious questions about the increasing militarisation of policing and the safeguards in place to protect human rights."
State officials say the unit is intended to boost confidence for residents and visitors alike, while critics argue the move could erode civil liberties and increase tension in public spaces.
