Key Takeaways:
- A probationary constable, Jack Hibbert, was shot in a terrorist attack at Bondi Beach and has lost the sight of one eye.
- Questions have been raised about the experience and numbers of police at the event, with some critics arguing that the area was inadequately protected.
- The NSW Premier, Chris Minns, has stated that there were at least three officers patrolling the park where the shooting took place, and around 20 officers in the Bondi area.
- The NSW Police Commissioner, Mal Lanyon, has said that the force will review its policies and consider providing front-line officers with greater access to more powerful firearms.
- The attack has sparked concerns about the safety of the Jewish community and the adequacy of police resourcing to protect high-risk events.
Introduction to the Incident
A devastating terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on Sunday has left a young police officer, Jack Hibbert, with severe injuries, including the loss of sight in one eye. Hibbert, 22, was on duty at the time of the attack, which occurred during a Hanukah celebration. The incident has raised questions about the experience and numbers of police at the event, with some critics arguing that the area was inadequately protected. The NSW Premier, Chris Minns, has stated that there were at least three officers patrolling the park where the shooting took place, and around 20 officers in the Bondi area.
The Attack and Its Aftermath
The attack, which was carried out by two men, resulted in the deaths of several people and injured many others, including Hibbert and another police officer, Const Scott Dyson. The officers were praised for their bravery and quick thinking, with Minns stating that they had acted "with bravery and integrity" in the face of extreme danger. The attack has sparked widespread shock and outrage, with many calling for increased security measures to protect high-risk events and communities. The Jewish community, in particular, has been targeted in recent years, and the attack has raised concerns about the adequacy of police resourcing to protect them.
Police Response and Resourcing
The NSW Police Commissioner, Mal Lanyon, has maintained that the force bases its policing responses "on the threat that exists at the time", and that officers were moving through the Bondi area at all times during the Hanukah celebration. However, some critics have argued that the area was inadequately protected, with former federal minister Josh Frydenberg stating that the event had been "inadequately protected" and that more needed to be done to ensure the safety of citizens. The NSW opposition leader, Kellie Sloane, has also called for more information about the decisions on police resourcing to protect Jewish events, stating that the community is at "extreme risk" and that more needs to be done to protect them.
Expert Analysis
Dr. Vince Hurley, a lecturer in criminology at Macquarie University and a former NSW police officer, has said that the officers on duty in the area would have been "initially as shocked as the punters who were there" when the attack began. He stated that the scene would have been akin to an urban war zone, with officers making split-second decisions about who to help and who to engage. Hurley also noted that no amount of police training can prepare officers for a situation like this, and that the dynamic of the attack has changed the way police need to respond to such incidents. The NSW Police Commissioner has stated that the force will review its policies and consider providing front-line officers with greater access to more powerful firearms.
Support for the Officers and Community
The NSW Police Commissioner, Mal Lanyon, visited Hibbert on Wednesday morning, describing the young officer as a "really positive young man" who had the full backing of the agency. He also stated that Dyson had undergone further surgery and remained in a critical but stable condition. The attack has sparked an outpouring of support for the officers and the community, with many offering condolences and calling for increased security measures to protect high-risk events and communities. Support is available for those affected by the attack, including counseling services and helplines. In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and Griefline on 1300 845 745. In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393, and other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.
