Police officers have gathered at a floral memorial near Bondi Pavilion to honour the victims of Sunday's shooting, as one of the injured constables faces a life-altering injury.
Officer's Long Road to Recovery
Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert, aged 22, has lost the vision in one eye after being shot during the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach. The officer, who joined the New South Wales police force just four months ago, was on duty patrolling a Hanukah celebration when the incident unfolded.
His family confirmed he sustained two bullet wounds, one to his head and another to his shoulder. After being rushed to ICU, intubated, and undergoing multiple surgeries, he miraculously survived. However, the family stated he now faces a "long and challenging recovery" with further operations needed.
Another officer, Constable Scott Dyson, who had been with the eastern suburbs command for 18 months, was also critically injured and has undergone further surgery.
Debate Over Police Resources and Readiness
The attack has sparked a fierce debate about the level of police protection provided for the Jewish community event. NSW Premier Chris Minns stated that his understanding was that around twenty officers were on duty in the Bondi area, with at least three patrolling the specific park where the shooting occurred. Police worked with the Community Security Group (CSG), a private Jewish security initiative.
However, former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg strongly criticised the resourcing, calling it inadequate. "How, with some 1,000 people here in a heightened threat environment, did we just have three police, ill-equipped to protect citizens?" he asked, demanding answers and action.
NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane echoed these concerns, stating the Jewish community was at "extreme risk" and that questions must be asked about what more could have been done to protect them.
An 'Impossible Mandate' in Chaos
In defence of the response, Premier Minns praised the officers' bravery, highlighting that they engaged a gunman armed with long-range rifles using only handguns, ultimately neutralising the threat and saving lives.
Dr Vince Hurley, a criminology lecturer and former NSW police officer with 29 years' experience, described the situation as an "impossible mandate." He argued that even with more experienced or numerous officers, the chaotic, crowded scene would have presented immense challenges. "There's no amount of police training that can deal with a situation like this," Hurley stated.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed the force bases its responses on the existing threat level and said a review of all policies and resources was underway. Significantly, he indicated police would "absolutely" examine whether frontline officers should have access to more powerful firearms beyond handguns, acknowledging Sunday's attack had "changed the dynamic."
Commissioner Lanyon, who visited Constable Hibbert, described him as a positive young man with the full support of the police force behind him. The community now watches as both injured officers begin their long journeys toward recovery.
