NSW police deputy commissioner says letting Jewish security group carry guns could be seen as ‘favouritism’

Lead

A royal commission examining antisemitism and social cohesion has heard contrasting views on whether private security guards should be armed at Jewish events in New South Wales. The state's deputy police commissioner warned that granting armed privileges to one community could be seen as favouritism, while a risk consultant argued that arming private security at open-air events could provide a valuable response to violent incidents.

Coverage Comparison

The Guardian reported that Deputy Commissioner David Hudson appeared before the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion on Monday and pushed back against calls for the private security sector to be armed at Jewish events. ABC Australia covered the same hearings, focusing on Commissioner Virginia Bell SC AC's questioning of risk consultant Gavriel Schneider over his proposal to arm private security officers.

Both outlets noted that the royal commission is examining security arrangements for the Jewish community in Sydney and Melbourne, and that the Bondi terror attack had prompted discussions about arming the Community Security Group (CSG).

Key Claims

The deputy commissioner said the "protection of all members of the community is the responsibility of the police," and expressed a "strong preference" for a "user pays" model that would allow event organisers or venues to pay for police presence, rather than arming private security guards.

Hudson said the police force generally opposed allowing individual communities to carry arms or use body armour. "It's our opinion that allowing certain areas of society, no matter what those areas are, to have special privileges in relation to their security, would further fracture relationships that are fairly tenuous between different groups," he said, adding that it "would certainly be looked upon by others as the police or governments showing favouritism to that group."

Risk consultant Gavriel Schneider told the commission that the private security sector could be better utilised to respond to violent incidents before emergency services arrive. He suggested arming private security officers stationed at open-air events, such as the Hanukkah celebration at Bondi.

Commissioner Bell pressed Dr Schneider on that suggestion, noting that Australians were broadly "averse" to a visibly armed security presence at community events. "The notion that one makes a community safer by arming more people might not be one that enjoys broad support in the Australian context," she said. Dr Schneider acknowledged the concerns but said the private sector could provide a "valuable alternative or support" to existing policing resources.

The Australian Jewish Association has recommended a government review of the protective capabilities of licensed security guards. The association's president, Robert Gregory, has commented on the need for armed protection.

Counter-terrorism expert Scott Wilson also testified on the response to the Bondi terror attack, according to The Guardian.

Perspectives

NSW Police: Deputy Commissioner David Hudson argued against arming private security guards, saying that security is the responsibility of police and that special privileges for one community could fracture relationships and be perceived as favouritism.

Risk Consultant: Gavriel Schneider advocated arming private security officers at open-air events as a "valuable alternative or support" to policing resources, suggesting it could improve response times in violent incidents.

Royal Commission: Commissioner Virginia Bell SC AC expressed concern about the community's aversion to visibly armed security, questioning whether arming more people would actually make communities safer.

Australian Jewish Association: The association has recommended a government review of licensed security guards' protective capabilities and its president has spoken about the need for armed protection.