Police with assault rifles begin Sydney patrols in wake of Bondi attack
"The tragic events at Bondi demonstrated the devastating consequences when an alleged armed offender attacks innocent people," the unit's commander, Detective Superintendent Andrew Evans, said.
Police with military assault rifles have initiated patrols across Sydney, as a direct response to the Bondi Beach incident from last December. The Armed Response Command (ARC), a first-of-its-kind unit in Australia, is set to deploy in major events, crowded public spaces, sports venues, and places of worship, according to New South Wales state police.
The A$94 million ($66.08 million) unit comprises 250 officers armed with Australian combat assault rifles, marking the most visible deployment of heavily armed police officers in the country's history. Detective Superintendent Andrew Evans, the ARC's commander, emphasized that the tragic Bondi events underscore the potential devastation caused by armed assailants and the necessity of highly trained officers equipped to respond swiftly.
However, Amnesty International Australia has expressed concerns over the introduction of heavily armed police patrols in Sydney, highlighting the increasing militarisation of policing and questioning the safeguards in place to protect human rights.
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- Police with assault rifles begin Sydney patrols in wake of Bondi attack channelnewsasia.com
