Some police given longarm rifles in the wake of Bondi massacre
The types of weapons issued to police following the Bondi attack may change as the commissioner responds to claims that officers are outgunned.
Some police officers have been given new weapons to ensure the force is “better equipped” to deal with incidents such as the Bondi massacre, and Commissioner Mal Lanyon revealed the force is investigating whether higher-powered weapons are needed for general police officers as the nature of crime changes.
The shooters were carrying more than six long-armed weapons, while two police officers patrolling the Hanukkah event were armed only with handguns when gunshots began to ring out on Sunday.
These officers remained in hospital in critical but stable condition on Wednesday, receiving treatment for injuries they sustained while responding to the attack.
The alleged attackers, father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram, brought with them six registered long arms to fire at crowds gathered to celebrate the beginning of the Jewish holiday.
While the number of people who died in the attack increased to 15, 22 people are still in hospital.
Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed police had already made changes to the weapons issued to officers.
“We recently introduced long-arm weapons to ensure some of our tactical officers are better equipped,” he told 2GB.
Commissioner Lanyon said NSW Police was currently looking at what weapons were being issued to general officers.
“Traditionally, police only carried handguns because our conflicts were traditionally at close quarters,” he said.
“Obviously the type of violence that we’re seeing now, the type of crimes that are being committed around the world, has changed some of that.
“…As commissioner, I am committed to ensuring our officers are as safe as possible so they can keep the community safe.”
While NSW Police also faces questions about whether staffing issues are plaguing the force, Commissioner Lanyon described recruitment and retention as a “core feature” of the force.
“We currently have over 2000 vacancies,” he said.
More to come.
