Police were young and outgunned: Where was the back-up at Bondi? |
On Tuesday, the NSW Police Force sent its heavy-hitters to Bondi. The ones trained for violent conflict, with access to the state’s most serious weapons. They were two days too late.
On Sunday, it was general duties police – the kind who usually deal with motor vehicle accidents, retail theft and pub brawls – who found themselves responsible for stopping the deadliest attack Australia has witnessed in 30 years. Some only graduated from the academy a few months ago. Some still live with their folks. None expected anything more than a hot shift at the beach.
Police at Bondi Beach on Tuesday.Credit: Jessica Hromas
Attendees estimated there were about four of them at the festival when the shooting began, multiple sources said (police refused to confirm; on Tuesday night, Premier Chris Minns said there were two, and reportedly later clarified to three). They were armed with pistols, which the vast majority fire once a year when they practice shooting at paper silhouettes at a distance of about 15 metres.
One minute they were watching kids blow bubbles, and the next they were facing two terrorists who were intent on causing mass fatalities. These gunmen deftly wielded what appeared to be bolt-action, high-powered rifles, which kill at long distances, and shotguns, which cause a terrible mess at short ones.
As one police veteran put it – on the condition of anonymity so they could speak freely – the local cops were outmatched and outgunned. “You don’t bring a pistol to fight a shotgun or a rifle,” they said.
Police are facing mounting questions about their response to Sunday’s massacre, at which 15 people died; whether top brass underestimated the risk to that event,........