Overview
- About 250 officers will staff the standing unit from 25 February, ending the rotation of officers from other commands.
- Teams equipped with long‑arm rifles will patrol high‑risk public spaces, places of worship, major events and protests across Sydney.
- A 24/7 specialised operations centre will provide real-time coordination, surge management, training, logistics and intelligence, supported by modified rapid-response vehicles and 28 civilian staff.
- The move follows the Bondi Beach terror attack that killed 15 people, with leaders arguing security challenges require a consistent police presence.
- Police report 815 incidents and more than 230 arrests under Operation Shelter, though a former deputy commissioner cautioned the tally is a “loose capture” rather than an exact count.