New South Wales police officers were outgunned during the Bondi beach massacre, armed with 9mm Glock pistols in a gun battle against rifles, the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion has heard. Deputy commissioner David Hudson told the inquiry that officers were "placed at significant risk" during the attack on 14 December.
Mr Hudson said a plan to establish an armed response command of 210 officers carrying long-arm weapons had been "escalated", but would still take at least 12 months to be fully staffed. The Police Association of NSW had made representations about more consistent arming of officers with long-arms after the attack.
The commission heard that two gunmen opened fire from a footbridge above Archer Park at Bondi beach, using a bolt-action high-powered rifle and shotguns. The pair allegedly killed 15 people, including members of the Jewish community celebrating Hanukah. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police, while his son Naveed Akram was wounded and is in custody facing charges including 15 counts of murder.
Within 30 seconds of opening fire, the gunmen had shot 11 people with long-arms, fatally wounding 10 of them. The pair was subdued after seven minutes and 41 seconds, with Detective Senior Constable Cesar Barraza believed to have fired the shots from his 9mm Glock that killed Sajid and disarmed Naveed. Two other officers were seriously injured.
Mr Hudson told the commission that giving the Community Security Group, which provides security services to the Jewish community, additional powers would be "problematic", as it could create friction between groups. He said police would have "considerable reservations" about such a move.
The armed response command, announced after the attack, will consist of 250 officers and operate 24/7, according to police and counter-terrorism minister Yasmin Catley. Mr Hudson said the unit would be able to respond more rapidly than current capabilities, with 210 officers expected to carry long-arms and the remainder filling command and intelligence roles.
