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NSW police commissioner confirms Premier declined army support with Covid-19 crisis

There was talk of sending in the army to help tackle Sydney’s coronavirus crisis earlier this month – but the NSW Premier turned down the offer.

'National emergency' call as NSW records 136 new cases of COVID-19

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian declined an offer for army personnel to help tackle Sydney’s coronavirus outbreak, the NSW police commissioner has confirmed.

Mick Fuller said in a Friday afternoon statement that the Australian Defence Force made the offer on July 7.

But the state police force had already begun planning for a “major police operation” at that point, which was launched two days later, the statement said.

The July 9 operation was announced to the media as a “high-visibility” action that would target “the people who think the rules don’t apply to them”.

NSW police commissioner Mick Fuller said the Premier declined an offer from the army to help tackle Sydney’s Covid-19 crisis. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper
NSW police commissioner Mick Fuller said the Premier declined an offer from the army to help tackle Sydney’s Covid-19 crisis. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper

Southwestern Sydney has emerged as the epicentre of Sydney’s coronavirus outbreak and several council areas in that part of the city have been put under extra-strict lockdown conditions.

“I reiterate my support for the close relationship NSW Police has with the ADF, particularly working through the bushfires,” Mr Fuller said.

“That has continued throughout the Covid pandemic, including the close co-operation in the hotel quarantine operation and logistics support in the Police Operations Centre where ADF personnel continue to be essential in terms of the NSW Police operation.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian declared the coronavirus crisis in Sydney a national emergency on Friday.Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dan Peled
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian declared the coronavirus crisis in Sydney a national emergency on Friday.Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dan Peled

“However, it was determined the police operational response didn’t require external assistance in the south western Sydney operation given the transmission of the virus was between household contacts, not primarily occurring on the streets.”

The statement also included a thank you to the Prime Minister and a quote from NSW Police Minister David Elliott.

“I fully support the position taken by Commissioner Fuller and thank the members of the NSW Police Force for their tireless efforts throughout these operations,” Mr Elliott was quoted as saying.

Originally published as NSW police commissioner confirms Premier declined army support with Covid-19 crisis

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/breaking-news/nsw-police-commissioner-confirms-premier-declined-army-support-with-covid19-crisis/news-story/72ecea3c4281190e18e6bbb86719a75d