As the ongoing inquest into the Bondi Junction tragedy unfolds, early findings have revealed sobering truths about the state of the security preparedness and response in this complex public space. One of the most striking revelations has been the failure of fundamental control room operations.
Control Room Coverage: Not Optional, But Critical
One of the most concerning operational breakdowns revealed during the Bondi Junction inquiry was the fact that the CCTV control room was not actively staffed at the outset of the emergency. One operator was on a scheduled break, another was away attending training, and the sole remaining operator—left to manage the unfolding crisis—had previously failed components of her active armed offender training. Despite this, she was still rostered on and expected to perform during a critical incident.
This is not just a lapse in coverage—it is a fundamental failure in operational readiness.
Control rooms are far more than spaces filled with screens; they are the nerve centres of any security operation. Their function is vital: to detect threats early, verify incidents, coordinate responses, and communicate with both internal teams and emergency services. When these rooms are left unstaffed or inadequately manned, we effectively disable the very systems designed to mitigate harm in the most crucial seconds of an attack.
Unfortunately, a widespread issue across the security industry is the tendency to treat control room staffing as a support function, often deprioritised or stretched thin when budgets become tight. This mindset is not only outdated—it’s dangerously short-sighted. In emergencies, the difference between life and death can come down to whether a capable operator was watching and ready to rapidly implement the tested response.
Training vs. Competency: Are We Just Ticking Boxes?
Training is a core pillar of the security industry—but training alone is not enough. The inquest has underscored that training must be validated, assessed, and reinforced regularly…it must be tested to ensure competence. The operator on duty had reportedly not met the standard expected of someone in her position yet was still permitted to remain in a critical role.
This reflects a wider issue in the security sector: are we prioritising quantity over quality in training? Are we ensuring that our personnel can apply learned skills under pressure? Certification should never be a substitute for genuine readiness. Realistic simulations, scenario-based training, and active reassessment must be the standard practice.
Manning and Accountability: Starts at the Top
Beyond individual training deficiencies, the Bondi Junction incident also exposed a serious lack of effective workforce planning and operational redundancy. In any professional security operation, there must be clear contingency strategies for breaks, handovers, and unforeseen absences. In this case, those safeguards simply weren’t in place—and the consequences were immediate.
Proper manning is not a luxury—it is a non-negotiable public safety obligation. This is not a responsibility that rests solely on the shoulders of individual operators. It is one that must be owned at every level of the security chain, from service providers to site leadership.
Just as critically, clients must be willing to accept and invest in this obligation. They must recognise that effective security is not achieved through minimum coverage or checkbox compliance, but through competent, prepared, and adequately resourced teams. The security industry must continue to champion this message—not only as a best practice, but as a fundamental requirement to protect lives in high-risk environments.
Final Thought
The Bondi Junction inquiry is still underway, but its initial findings offer a clear warning: security readiness is only as strong as the people and systems behind the cameras. The tragedy serves as a reminder that in high-risk environments, competency and vigilance are non-negotiable.
