On Sunday, Nov. 2, 2026, Sydney police began a high‑visibility patrol of City streets with a newly formed unit of 250 officers armed with Australian combat assault rifles, following the lethal attack on a synagogue celebration at Bondi Beach last December that killed 15 people.
Unit Details
The new Armed Response Command (ARC) was created in direct response to the antisemitic shooting and is intended to serve at major events, crowded public spaces, sporting venues and places of worship. The initiative marks the first time heavily armed police officers have been deployed on the streets of Australia.
The ARC’s commander, Detective Superintendent Andrew Evans, told reporters that the tragic events at Bondi demonstrated the "devastating consequences when an alleged armed offender attacks innocent people" and that the unit guarantees "highly trained officers in the right places, with the right equipment, ready to act when seconds matter."
"The tragic events at Bondi demonstrated the devastating consequences when an alleged armed offender attacks innocent people," Daniel Evans said. "ARC ensures we have highly trained officers in the right places, with the right equipment, ready to act when seconds matter."
The commission’s deployment budget was reported at A$94 million (about US$66 million), an investment aimed at bolstering public confidence after the December riot. Under the ARC plan, 250 officers are scheduled to be deployed by the end of 2027, with a steady rotation across high‑risk venues as plans are finalized.
Amnesty International Australia has expressed concern over the new patrols, arguing that the introduction of heavily armed officers raises "serious questions about the increasing militarisation of policing and the safeguards in place to protect human rights." The organisation called for clear oversight and accountability measures to accompany the unit’s operations.
BBC online reports that the move follows the "deadly shooting" at a Hanukkah festival, noting that the plan is a direct security response to last year’s tragedy. The BBC piece highlights how the city has moved from a passively patrolled metro to a militarised presence.
Teletext.ie confirms that the heavily‑armed unit is now active on Sydney streets, describing it as a “security measure in response to last year’s deadly shooting attack at a Hanukkah festival.” The news outlet emphasizes the unit is a new addition to traditional policing assets and aims to deter future attacks.
The new command was also covered by 7News, which reported that the ARC will deploy up to 250 officers by 2027. The article notes that the Sydney Police Force is expanding its strategic rapid‑response capabilities, including specialists in firearms, crowd management, and tactical operations. 7News further details that the unit will coordinate closely with community religious groups to tailor patrol routes and advance security briefings for upcoming events.
