New South Wales – 8 October 2026
The NSW Government has announced a permanent specialist police unit to respond rapidly to serious security threats. Known as the Armed Response Command (ARC), the unit is designed to reach situations requiring a specialist security response quickly.
According to the NSW Government, the unit’s training will move into a more practical phase over the coming weeks. Some exercises will take place in real-world public settings in Sydney. Residents may therefore see officers carrying specialist weapons and using specialised police vehicles in parts of the city. The government says their presence may be part of planned training and does not necessarily indicate a security incident at that location.
The exercises aim to prepare officers for a rapid, coordinated response to serious threats. The NSW Government says the command will operate as a permanent part of the police force and will be able to mobilise quickly when security threats arise.
One of the command’s roles is to strengthen police capacity at sensitive sites and large gatherings. Official information identifies places of worship, major events and other locations facing potential threats as locations where ARC officers may be deployed to reinforce security.
Information about the unit’s training is also important for Sydney’s diverse communities. The sight of police carrying specialist weapons or using specialised vehicles may cause concern for some residents. Ahead of the new training phase, the government has advised the public that some of these deployments may involve ARC training exercises.
The command’s establishment is part of the NSW Government’s efforts to strengthen police capacity to address serious security threats. ARC will operate as a permanent specialist unit with a role distinct from routine, day-to-day policing.
State officials have stressed that training in real-world environments is essential to prepare officers for conditions they may encounter on actual deployments. Residents can expect to see these officers and their specialised vehicles in parts of Sydney over the coming weeks.
Source: NSW Government
