In the wake of the killing of unarmed policeman Len Snee by Jan Molenaar in Napier on Thursday, the debate about arming of the police has reignited.
Prime Minister John Key said yesterday it was a legitimate debate, but allowing police to be armed all the time would create substantial risks.
"And the weapons need to be loaded at all times, there's likely to be a psychological barrier between the police and the public," he told reporters.
He said he would be reluctant to support police being armed all the time because of that barrier.
But the rollout of Taser stun guns would be accelerated and an announcement would be made in the May 28 budget, he said, without giving further details.
Selected police officers in Auckland and Wellington have access to Tasers after police decided to reintroduce them late last year following a year-long trial which concluded in 2007.
Their use is guided by rules, which say they must not be routinely carried by officers, who need permission before taking them to an incident.
Police Association president Greg O'Connor said police work was becoming increasingly dangerous and called earlier yesterday for a quicker rollout of Tasers.
"What that might do is actually make the people we deal with understand that we do have some teeth...and when people do have a go, we have something we can use," he told Radio NZ.
The Taser incapacitates people through a 50,000-volt jolt of electricity. Police say they are needed as a non-lethal alternative to firearms.
Mr Key praised the police for the way they handled the stand-off with Molenaar, who also wounded two other police officers and a civilian.
"I think they did a very, very good job, it was an extremely difficult circumstance," he said.
Mr Key said the case had raised concerns about the number of unregistered weapons in New Zealand but emphasised the case was not a common occurrence.
"This is one that has gone tragically and terribly wrong and I guess we will go away and take stock of that."
