Police to get greater access to firearms

Police Commissioner Howard Broad said he will be ensuring his staff have greater access to firearms.

Mr Broad has received a draft report on access and availability for firearms. The report is expected to be finalised before Christmas.

“We will be taking the firearms out of the station and into cars,” said Commissioner Broad.

“It will still be left to the judgment of the individual officer to make an assessment of the risks and the nature of the threat as to when it is appropriate to carry the firearm. We will be giving guidance and training to assist them with this decision.”

Commissioner Broad said he was committed to ensuring staff safety was the most effectivce and viable possible. He cautioned that providing greater access to firearms would not necessarily make officers safer.

“The fact that a firearm is more readily available should give officers confidence,”

It is proposed that police vehicles deployed in rural environments or with a single officer should be equipped with firearms lock boxes.

The Commissioner emphasised there was to be no routine arming of police.

The report is still to be read by the Minister of Police and to be discussed with senior Police commanders. The Commissioner expected some initial action on the report around the middle of next year.