New South Wales has launched a new armed police unit designed to enhance security in Sydney, particularly at public events and high-profile locations. The $94.3 million Armed Response Command (ARC), officially operational from Sunday, was established as part of the state government’s response to the 2025 Bondi Beach mass shooting that left 15 people dead.
Comprised of specialist officers trained in the use of long-arm firearms, emergency medical response, and high-speed driving, the ARC is intended to provide a rapid and focused reaction capability across the city. Operating out of a new base in Surry Hills, Sydney’s central business district, the unit will draw on real-time intelligence from multiple sources including Crime Stoppers, the National Security Hotline, and emergency calls. Once fully staffed, which is expected by the end of 2027, ARC will have 250 officers supported by 28 intelligence analysts and other support personnel.
Police Minister Yasmin Catley described the unit as a state-of-the-art force modeled on similar rapid-response squads in Europe and New York. The ARC will have access to Thales assault rifles manufactured in Lithgow, as well as a fleet of specialist vehicles designed to navigate Sydney’s busy streets. It will form part of NSW’s broader counter-terrorism strategy alongside existing groups such as the Tactical Operations Group.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Evans, ARC’s commander, confirmed the unit will be highly visible at significant events, including Hanukkah celebrations, particularly those related to the Jewish community in Sydney that was directly impacted by the Bondi attack. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry welcomed the increased security, emphasizing the necessity of stronger police capabilities to prevent similar attacks in the future.
However, the introduction of military-style rifles carried by police has been met with mixed reactions. Civil liberties groups and some security experts voiced concerns about the potential for an “American-style militarisation” of the police force, and risks of “mission creep” where the unit’s remit could expand beyond its original counter-terrorism objectives. The NSW Council for Civil Liberties has called for clear regulations restricting when and where ARC officers armed with assault rifles can be deployed, including explicit exclusions from deployment at public protests.
Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has stated that protests will continue to be managed by the existing public order and riot squads, and that ARC officers are not primarily intended for crowd control. Nonetheless, Detective Superintendent Evans acknowledged the possibility of the unit being positioned nearby protests if intelligence suggested a heightened threat to those events.
Experts differ on the effectiveness of such an armed presence. While some argue that having a highly trained armed unit could reduce casualties in future attacks, others warn that it may simply shift threats to softer targets or fail to address underlying causes of violence and antisemitism. Members of the Jewish community have stressed the importance of a broader approach to tackle hate crimes alongside enhanced security measures.
The NSW government has so far declined calls to implement formal policies defining ARC’s deployment parameters, leaving decisions on the unit’s use to police discretion. As the unit begins its operations, balancing community safety with concerns over police militarisation remains a key issue under close observation.