Armed Response Command: NSW Police Launches 24/7 Sydney Unit 2026

Key Points

• Armed Response Command (ARC) is a new police unit, which was recently launched in New South Wales and represents an Australian first.
• Training for the public aspect of ARC was launched in New South Wales on Thursday, 8 October 2026 by Minns government.
• The establishment of this unit is underpinned by $94.3 million and represents a shift from the reactive operation called Shelter to permanent 24/7 capability.
• In total, the ARC unit is expected to consist of 250 officers and 28 civilians working in cooperation with the Police Operations Centre.
• On 1 November 2026, the unit is planned to include 60 officers, who will work on regular basis.
• The officers will be armed with Australian Combat Assault Rifles (ACARs), which are made by Lithgow Small Arms in NSW.
• There will be used 24 specially built vehicles, including BMW X5s and Toyota LandCruisers, which will have gun safes.
• This unit will patrol areas with high level of risks, increase presence at religious facilities, major events and other places, which are considered to require protection.
• ARC was established because of the terror attack, which happened in Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025 and resulted in death of 15 people.

Wales Police (Wales Times) October 09, 2026 — New South uk/police/">Wales Police has begun the public phase of training for its new Armed Response Command, a permanent, rifle-equipped rapid-response unit that will operate around the clock across Sydney from next month.

The Minns Labor Government unveiled the Australian-first command on Thursday, 8 October 2026, saying it has been created to respond rapidly to serious threats and to provide a visible police presence in locations where risk is assessed to be higher.

As reported by the NSW Government, the Armed Response Command is backed by a $94.3 million investment and will transition Operation Shelter from a reactive surge operation into a permanent, 24/7 rapid-response unit.

What is the NSW Police Armed Response Command?

The Armed Response Command, or ARC, is a dedicated NSW Police unit designed to respond to emerging serious threats, patrol high-risk areas and increase police visibility at places of worship, major events and other locations where it is needed.

The NSW Government described the command as “high-visibility” and “intelligence-led”, with officers supported by a specialised Police Operations Centre providing response, coordination, training, logistics and intelligence functions.

At full strength, ARC will have 250 officers and 28 civilian staff. The NSW Government said this structure means police will no longer need to be rotated out of Police Area Commands during major operations.

When will ARC officers be deployed?

The first 60 officers from the command’s total workforce of 250 are expected to commence duties on 1 November 2026, according to SBS News.

Before then, residents in Sydney are expected to see ARC officers, rifles and specialist vehicles in public as training moves from dedicated facilities into realistic environments across the city.

As reported by the ABC, the unit has spent months training behind closed doors at specialised facilities and is now entering its public training phase ahead of its operational debut.

What weapons and vehicles will ARC use?

NSW Police has selected the Australian Combat Assault Rifle, or ACAR, manufactured by Lithgow Small Arms in NSW, following what the government described as extensive field and endurance testing.

The unit will also have access to 24 purpose-built vehicles, including BMW X5s and Toyota LandCruisers. The vehicles contain specially designed gun safes to secure rifles, and officers are currently undergoing advanced driver training.

As reported by news.com.au, officers will be equipped with ACAR rifles manufactured by Lithgow Arms, while the NSW Government says the vehicles have been designed to safely store the weapons.

Why was the Armed Response Command created?

The command was established in response to the Bondi Beach terror attack on 14 December 2025. The attack occurred during a Jewish holiday celebration and killed 15 people.

The NSW Government said ARC will make permanent the high-visibility patrols previously conducted under Operation Shelter, which was first launched in October 2023 amid heightened community tensions and an increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents.

As reported by the ABC, the ARC will take over the high-visibility patrols previously conducted under Operation Shelter, which was intensified after the December 2025 tragedy.

What did NSW leaders say?

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the security challenges facing the state had changed and that the policing model needed to change with them.

“Keeping the people of New South Wales safe is our number one priority,” Mr Minns said in the government statement. “That means making sure our police have the people, training and equipment they need to respond to serious threats.”

He added: “We hope these officers are never called on to respond to a major incident. But if one happens, NSW Police are ready.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said the command was about backing police with the capability to detect, prevent and respond to threats.

“What we’re delivering is a rapid, 24/7 response that the community should have confidence in,” Ms Catley said.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said ARC would provide both a rapid policing response and a deterrent to people who may wish to commit harm, incite hatred or cause fear.

“No matter where you are located across Sydney, we want all communities to feel reassured that police can be anywhere, at anytime, to keep people safe,” Commissioner Lanyon said.

How was the command developed?

The NSW Government said the command was informed by global best practice, with a senior NSW Police Force delegation travelling to the United Kingdom and Germany in January to study rapid-response policing models.

As reported by the ABC, NSW Police examined the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Firearms Command in London, which uses Armed Response Vehicles to provide immediate intervention during attacks, as well as Germany’s Specialist Command and Commando units, which are trained to respond to active-shooter scenarios.

The government also said ARC forms part of a broader set of reforms introduced by the Minns government, including firearms reforms, stricter licence requirements, a gun buyback, new offences banning the public display of terrorist organisation symbols, and further action on hateful speech.

Where will ARC officers be seen?

ARC officers are expected to patrol high-risk areas and be present at places of worship, major events and other locations where police assess that an increased presence is needed.

Commissioner Lanyon said command officers may be visible at significant events such as the NRL grand final, depending on the assessed risk, but clarified that they would not be deployed at protests.

As reported by Xinhua, the NSW Government said officers would begin patrolling Sydney over the coming weeks as the unit’s training moved into realistic environments.

What concerns have been raised?

The rollout has prompted criticism from some commentators concerned about the visibility of heavily armed police in public spaces. As reported by Paul Gregoire of Sydney Criminal Lawyers, some have described ARC as “an escalation in state violence”.

The same report noted that the unit will patrol locations including places of worship, major events and mass gatherings, and said the command will put “more long arm rifles into circulation”.

The NSW Government has not presented ARC as a protest-policing unit. Commissioner Lanyon said the command would not be deployed at protests, although its broader remit includes major events and public locations assessed as high-risk.

Background of the development

Operation Shelter was launched in October 2023 in response to heightened community tensions, including an increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents in New South Wales.

Following the Bondi Beach terror attack on 14 December 2025, the NSW Government moved to establish a permanent specialist response capability rather than relying on reactive surge operations.

The government says ARC is intended to ensure that officers, equipment and command structures are permanently available, rather than being assembled temporarily during periods of heightened risk.

Prediction: How will this affect Sydney communities?

For Sydney residents, the most immediate effect is likely to be a more visible armed police presence in certain public locations, particularly around places of worship, transport hubs, major events and other areas assessed as higher risk.

For event organisers, religious institutions and community groups, ARC may provide an additional layer of protection and a faster police response capability, but it may also require closer coordination with NSW Police over security planning and public communication.

For civil-liberties groups and communities already concerned about policing powers, the rollout is likely to intensify scrutiny of where ARC is deployed, how intelligence-led patrols are conducted, and how the unit balances public safety with the right to assemble and protest.