The New South Wales (NSW) premier has strongly rejected criticism of the police response to the attack on a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach, saying officers acted with bravery and integrity.
Some witnesses have suggested police were too slow to disarm the two gunmen, who killed 15 people and injured dozens at an event celebrating Hanukkah at Australia's best known beach.
There are two officers in critical care... at the moment, Chris Minns said after sustained questioning from reporters. They weren't shot in the back as they were running away. They were shot in the front. There have also been questions about whether adequate security was provided before the shooting took place.
They shoot, shoot, change magazine and just shoot, one witness, Shmulik Scuri, told reporters the day of the assault, adding he thought officers froze.
Asked about these criticisms, Minns said the rush to conclusions about the police operation was disrespectful. They didn't take a backward step. They engaged the gunmen on the footbridge with handguns. The offenders had long range rifles, he explained.
Yet, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon avoided questions about how many officers had been deployed to police the event in advance. He mentioned that police patrol the area regularly based on the existing threat level at the time.
The attack, which unfolded at around 18:47 on Sunday, involved a shooting spree lasting about ten minutes before law enforcement managed to shoot the attackers, resulting in one being killed and the other critically injured.
Dr Vincent Hurley, a former police officer turned academic, stated that it was unrealistic to expect police to have protocols for every scenario during a mass shooting. He invited understanding of the chaotic atmosphere police faced on the ground as thousands attempted to flee the scene.
Amidst these events, NSW Police established Operation Shelter post-October 2023 to investigate antisemitic hate crimes and ensure regular patrols in high-risk areas, particularly those with significant Jewish populations.
