Police unit with assault rifles begins Sydney patrols in wake of Bondi attack
The measure is the first of its kind in Australia, where the presence of heavily armed police officers is rare.
The Australian police have introduced a new unit equipped with assault rifles, patrolling Sydney streets for the first time following a tragic Bondi Beach attack in December. The Armed Response Command (ARC), comprising 250 officers and costing A$94 million, is deployed in high-profile locations such as sporting venues and places of worship to provide "high visibility" patrols.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Evans, the unit's commander, explained that the tragic events at Bondi Beach highlighted the need for highly trained officers with the right equipment to respond swiftly in emergencies. However, Amnesty International Australia raised concerns about the militarization of policing and the safeguards for human rights.
The Bondi Beach attack resulted in the death of 15 people, including Naveed Akram, 25, who is currently on trial for 78 charges, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist act. The case against Akram has been delayed until February 24 as prosecutors review over 1,500 witness statements and hundreds of hours of CCTV footage.
Meanwhile, another individual was charged for allegedly claiming he was injured in the massacre to seek compensation, and a state government scheme offered support to victims, ranging from A$5,000 for injuries to up to A$30,000 for economic loss.
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- Police with assault rifles begin Sydney patrols in wake of Bondi attack channelnewsasia.com
