New South Wales Police have begun street patrols in Sydney by a new Armed Response Command whose officers carry long-arm rifles, a security step the force tied to last December's mass shooting at Bondi Beach^1,2.

Police said the command is meant to be highly visible in busy tourist areas and at major events, sports venues and places of worship, with a stated aim of deterring and rapidly responding to serious threats, including active armed-offender incidents^1,2.

Fifteen people, including a 10-year-old girl, were killed on Dec. 14 when two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah gathering at the beach, an attack Australian authorities have treated as antisemitic and, in SCMP's account, motivated by Islamic State ideology^1,2.

SCMP reported the unit as an Australian first, saying it is budgeted at A$94 million (about US$66 million) and will comprise 250 officers armed with Australian combat assault rifles, in a country where such street patrols have been rare². BBC likewise said the command is designed to be highly visible, with specialist vehicles and rifles, and that it will eventually consist of 250 officers¹.

Detective Superintendent Andrew Evans, the unit's commander, said its role is built on preserving life and that Bondi showed the consequences when an alleged armed offender attacks people in public, according to accounts of his remarks in both outlets^1,2.

NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley told ABC, as reported by BBC, that the state's world had changed after the attack and would not be the same¹.

Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said Jewish communities had welcomed the operation while arguing that the alternative of more deaths was worse¹. Amnesty International Australia said the patrols raised questions about militarisation of policing and asked for public rules, independent oversight and assurances the command would not be used against peaceful protest^1,2.

BBC reported mixed comments from residents, with some describing the weapons as unnerving and others saying armed officers made them feel safer¹.

Naveed Akram has been charged with 78 offences including 15 counts of murder and a terrorism count; his father, Sajid Akram, who police said was also armed at the scene, was killed by officers there^1,2. SCMP said Naveed Akram, 25, has not yet entered a plea and that the case was last week adjourned to Feb. 24 while prosecutors review a large volume of evidence².