NSW Police reject Minns’ proposal to arm guards for public Jewish events

The NSW Police Force has formally opposed the arming of private security guards at public Jewish events, countering a proposal described by Premier Chris Minns as a “small price to pay” for safety.Testifying before the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion on Monday, Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson warned against providing any one group with extra security capabilities.On behalf of NSW Police, Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson opposes the idea of armed guards at public Jewish events, which Premier Chris Minns has entertained. Rhett WymanThe veteran officer, who bears responsibility for counter-terrorism, said the proposal would “further fracture” what he described as “fairly tenuous” relations between different groups.“The protection of all members of the community is the responsibility of police,” Hudson said in a brief public appearance at the Sydney hearing. “That is our responsibility, even though it can be supplemented”.Hudson, who revealed “considerable reservations” about the armed guards idea at a hearing in May, outlined NSW Police’s opposition in a formal statement to the royal commission on July 8.In earlier evidence, Australian Jewish Association president Robert Gregory said Jews would not feel safe at public events “unless there’s armed protection”.“Police can’t be there all the time,” said Gregory, who received death threats – including a picture of a noose – before his appearance at a 2024 Senate hearing.A NSW government spokesperson said it was “still considering the proposal” to extend the scope of armed guards, which are used in static patrols outside Jewish schools and synagogues.Minns first advanced the idea in an interview two days after the Bondi terrorism attack in December.At the time, Minns said arming the volunteer-run Community Security Group at public Jewish events was a “small price to pay” for safety and would provide an “extreme deterrent” to attackers.“We cannot have a situation where the solution to this horrible terrorism event is to have the Jewish community say, ‘well, we can only exist and celebrate our faith behind big walls’,” Minns told reporters.Premier Chris Minns says the government is still considering further arming the volunteer-run Community Security Group. CSGAs recently as April, Minns said the government was still “working through” the idea with police. He described guards carrying guns in public as “one effective measure we can make to ensure that the Jewish community feels safe”.Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, who was asked at the same April press conference whether it would be inappropriate to arm the CSG, said “that’s not a question for me”.The armed patrols outside Jewish schools and synagogues rely on security licences to protect valuable assets, not human lives, in a work-around practice also used by wealthy individuals outside the Jewish community.This year, NSW Police announced a new Armed Response Command, which will include 250 dedicated officers as well as civilian staff such as intelligence analysts, to protect metropolitan Sydney.Scott Wilson, a counter-terrorism expert with decades of experience in the United Kingdom, praised NSW Police in his evidence to the royal commission.“Your response time was great and your officers were very brave,” Wilson said. He said the police response’s “primary limitation” on December 14 was a lack of officers with highly specialised firearms training.General duties officers in NSW receive firearms and active armed offender training. In London, a mostly unarmed police force is supported by roving squads of highly trained officers carrying long-arm weapons, Wilson said.One of the two alleged Bondi offenders, Sajid Akram, was shot dead at the scene by an officer. His son, Naveed Akram, is in custody facing more than 70 charges, including murder and terrorism.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.From our partners