Heavily armed police officers carrying long-arm rifles have begun patrolling Sydney’s streets under a new New South Wales Police Armed Response Command, a response to last December’s mass shooting at Bondi Beach.
Fifteen people, including a 10-year-old girl, were killed on December 14 when two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah event at the beach, Australia’s worst mass shooting in almost three decades.
Police say the unit, which will eventually number 250 officers, will patrol tourist areas, major events and places of worship “to prevent, deter and rapidly respond to serious threats.” Its role “is built on a simple principle – preserving life,” Detective Superintendent Andrew Evans said.
“No Australian wants to see officers with military weapons on our streets, but the sight of body bags is far worse,” said Alex Ryvchin of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry. Amnesty International Australia warned of the “militarisation of policing,” the BBC reported.
One alleged gunman, Naveed Akram, faces 78 charges, including 15 counts of murder. His father, Sajid Akram, was killed by police at the scene.
Sources: BBC News, Reuters (via CNA), SBS News
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