Westfield Bondi Junction Inquest Sobering For Security Teams.
Westfield Bondi Junction Inquest Sobering – Evidence presented to the Bondi Junction inquest makes sobering reading for self-honest security managers protecting public spaces.
The evidence has highlighted concerns about operator training inside the Westfield control room, but the evidence also underscores the practical limits of responding to incidents of extreme violence that unfold in 150 seconds.
The inquest examined the actions of the main security operator, CR1, who was working alone in the Westfield security control room at the time of the attack.
Counsel assisting the coroner, Peggy Dwyer SC, told the inquest CR1 “wasn’t sufficiently trained or equipped” and “shouldn’t have been left in that control room on her own”.
Meanwhile, Representatives for Scentre Group and Glad Group gave evidence on their responsibilities, with the capability of the operator and the liability of her employer examined throughout proceedings.
Scentre Group’s lawyer, Dean Jordan SC, said it could not have “reasonably been known” that CR1 would not be competent in responding to an active armed offender situation prior to such an event taking place.
He noted that “Mr Cauchi…inflicted all of the fatal attacks within 150 seconds,” adding, “The practical reality is that even the most robust security measures…will not be able to completely prevent all active armed offender attacks.”
The evidence presented to the inquest illustrates the operational challenges faced by frontline security personnel who are increasingly positioned as the first point of detection and defence against complex behavioural risks emerging before an incident takes place.
When a violent attack occurs in a window of less than 3 minutes, real-time intervention is limited, regardless of who occupies the control-room chair. Regardless, proper procedures need to have been established to respond to such events and these need to be actioned in the shortest possible time.
The case emphasises that planning, prevention, early threat identification, protective clothing, frontline training, tight integration with local law enforcement teams and practice are the only reliable mitigations. It also highlights that failures in broader community mental-health systems have direct consequences for security teams tasked with responding to individuals already in crisis, a vector the security industry should engage with directly and vigorously.
The family of security officer Faraz Tahir, who was fatally wounded responding to the attack, were represented by Lester Fernandez SC. The family strongly supported the inquest but was critical of the operator’s deployment.
“Scentre Group and Glad Group should never have allowed CR1 to work in the control room alone and unsupervised,” Fernandez told the inquest. “That approach has added to the grief experienced by the Tahir family. It has compounded their sadness and it has compounded their loss.”
The coroner is now considering final recommendations, including a draft suggestion that those who confronted Cauchi be referred to the Council for the Australian Bravery Decorations. This includes NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott, among others. Final findings are expected before Christmas.
You can learn more about the inquest here or read more SEN news here.
“Westfield Bondi Junction Inquest Sobering For Security Teams.”
