A former NSW Police sergeant claims he repeatedly warned his superiors years ago that local officers would not be equipped to respond to an active-shooter attack in Bondi.
Between 2008 and 2016 Steve Buttel was based at Waverley police station, which was responsible for patrolling Bondi Beach as part of the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command.
Mr Buttel told the ABC he informed his bosses “it was only a matter of time” before there would be a terror attack targeting the local Jewish community.
Read more on the Bondi Beach shooting:
He said he strongly requested on several occasions that his officers at Bondi, many of whom were young constables, be equipped with rifles because their Glock pistols would not be adequate in an active-shooter attack.
“Several times in 2014 and 2015 I made them aware that we needed rifles. I said you’re asking these young kids to basically commit suicide by not supplying them with rifles,” he said.
“And if you don’t want to do that, then at least have a rifle available for the supervisor.
“Nothing was done by the commander at the time or the inspector.”
Mr Buttel’s has since left the force. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)
‘No doubt in my mind this was going to happen’
Mr Buttel, who has since left the police force, said he was so concerned a terrorist attack at Bondi was likely he carried extra ammunition.
“In most cases, police only carry 30 rounds … I used to carry an extra magazine because of the fear I had that it was going to go down at Bondi, so I had 45 rounds,” he said.
“I had no doubt in my mind this was going to happen. Bondi is the most iconic beach in Australia with a large Jewish community.
“I let [my superiors] know of my concerns that I was almost certain it was going to happen at Bondi, if not at the beach, then it would be at Westfield.”
Dozens of police have been on the scene of the attack since Sunday. (ABC News: Nick Dole)
Mr Buttel, who won several awards as a NSW Police officer, including police officer of the year for his command in 2013, said he began raising his concerns with his superiors after the Lindt Cafe siege in 2014.
That incident prompted calls that more NSW Police commands be given long-arm weapons.
Since then, only specialist units, including the public order and riot squad (PORS), have been given access to rifles.
“I knew they were approved to be rolled out, but why first responders didn’t receive them or supervisors at least, is beyond me,” Mr Buttel said.
“Why give them to the PORS when they’re based in areas that are 10, 15, 20 minutes away? The most damage is done in an incident like that in the first five-to-10 minutes.
“The most dangerous position in the NSW Police is the first responder.”
Fifteen people were killed in a terrorist attack in Bondi on Sunday. (ABC News: Jack Fisher)
NSW Police declined to respond to specific questions and Mr Buttel’s claims put to it by the ABC.
In defending the actions of responding police, Premier Chris Minns this week admitted NSW Police officers who were first to confront the Bondi attackers were forced to do so with inferior weapons.
“They engaged the gunmen on the footbridge with handguns. They didn’t take a backwards step. The offenders had long-range rifles,” he said on Tuesday.
‘Angry at senior police’
Former sergeant Stephen Buttel says he warned his superiors years ago that local officers would not be equipped for an active shooter in Bondi. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)
Mr Buttel said he was “angry and disgusted but not surprised” when he saw what was unfolding on Sunday evening.
“I was angry at the two maniacs and I was angry at senior police,” he said.
He believed more lives could have been saved if first-responding police had access to a rifle.
“You’re not going to stop people from dying, but suppressing fire or a well-aimed shot at these offenders could’ve stopped it,” he said.
“But [the shooters] had the tactical advantage in that situation due to the guns they were using … and they knew police had Glocks.
“Unfortunately, a Glock just doesn’t cut it against a rifle and a shotgun and there are a lot of people licensed to have those firearms.”
Mr Buttel said he hoped the tragedy at Bondi would prompt police and the government to better equip officers as soon as possible.
“They need semi-automatic rifles in every vehicle … It gives you that reassurance you have one close by if needed,” he said.
“That’s all I was ever asking for … I didn’t want to be walking around with it.”
Commissioner defends police weapons
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has defended the weapons officers who were first on the scene of Sunday’s terror attack were carrying.
Both Mr Minns and Commissioner Lanyon have backed the police’s response to the shooting. (ABC News: Liam Patrick)
Commissioner Lanyon told 702 ABC Radio Sydney, the issuing of pistols was standard in NSW.
“Handguns have been the appropriate weapons for operational police. There is little doubt this is completely out of character,” he said.
Since Sunday’s terror attack, the commissioner has faced a barrage of questions and has stressed the matter was now subject to two investigations.
Strike Force Belen, led by the State Crime Command’s homicide squad, will probe the police response.
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Separately, the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) has also established Operation Arques to investigate the public shooting.
The JCTT includes the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the NSW Crime Commission.
On Wednesday, Commissioner Lanyon said he would review whether frontline police officers should have easier access to long arms kept in police vehicles.
“We will absolutely look at that part of any incident like this and this is the most significant tragic incident we have had in many years,” the commissioner said.
In the immediate aftermath, Mr Minns also flagged there would be an inquiry into the lead-up to the attack and the response by authorities.
During a robust press conference on Tuesday, the premier conceded: “I don’t think there is any doubt that if we had our time again, of course we would do things differently.”