NSW Police get military-style machine guns to patrol holiday celebrations
MILITARY-style machine guns will be rolled out for Sydney riot squad police in time for large gatherings during the Christmas holiday period because “the world we live in is changing”.
NSW
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SPECIALIST NSW police officers will be armed with semiautomatic long-arm rifles from today under a ramped up approach to public safety.
Almost 50 riot squad officers have completed training for the weapons and have been issued with the Colt M4 rifles.
“There will be some in our community who may be confronted with the fact police now have a greater capacity in reaction to their firearms but I think also the community will be comforted,” Police Minister Troy Grant said.
“It is a reality the world we live in is changing. We wish we didn’t have to move down this path and we hope these fire arms never have to be used. But it is incumbent on me as the minister to provide the police with every piece of legislation and every resource so they have the capability to keep you safe.
“As the crime landscape changes and international threats reach our shores it is important our police have these capabilities.”
Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said the criminals wouldn’t know when the firearms would be deployed “but be sure they’ll be out there”.
Commissioner Fuller said the guns wouldn’t be slung over police shoulders as a general patrol scenario, but that the new arrangements meant police could quickly shift to that level of protection if required.
“There’s no point in us pretending the environment hasn’t changed — the organised crime environment, the terrorism environment,” Commissioner Fuller said.
He said the officers had undergone rigorous 10 day training courses to operate the firearms.
The move was flagged in June, and by the middle of next year the entire riot squad — about 100 officers — will be armed with the high-powered weapons.
“This is an additional capability that will provide greater support for officers responding to high-risk incidents and ensure increased community safety,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“The community can expect to see officers carrying these weapons in public on occasion, while other times, the weapons will be close at hand.”
Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson said the commissioner could also approve their deployment to large gatherings, including New Year’s Eve events, because of their deterrent effect.
“That will be an assessment made on a case-by-case basis,” he said.
Mr Hudson said most overseas incidents occurred at distances over 25 metres, sometimes up to 100 metres, and the current Glock weapons weren’t as effective at that distance.
He also cited a change in the environment “over the last several months” to justify the upgrades.