New funding will be allocated to provide 1,962 tasers to be rolled out across NSW over the next 18 months, as well as low-bearing vests for officers equipped with tasers.

But all Inverell officers won’t be carrying the guns for a few weeks yet.

Senior officers at the Inverell Police Station are already trained in the use of tasers, and one gun is kept at the Inverell Police Station for use.

“We have had tasers here for quite some time, and senior officers are trained in their use,” Inspector Rowan O’Brien of the Inverell Police said.

“I certainly see the benefits in a state wide roll-out of the weapons, but as yet no additional officers at the Inverell Police Station will be trained in their use.”

Four sergeants and Inspector O’Brien are currently trained in the use of the tasers, and routinely take the weapon out on patrol.

“We haven’t had to deploy the taser yet, but we regularly take the weapon out on patrol.”

As part of the rollout all first response officers will eventually carry tasers as part of their standard equipment, but the officers first have to undergo rigorous training.

“Weapons trainers in the New England Local Area Command (LAC) are to undergo taser training next week, and then they will be able to train officers in the command in their use. So it is quite possible that our officers could have tasers within the month.”

Police officers will undertake rigorous training before being armed with a taser.

This includes eight hours of initial instruction, passing a written test with a minimum score of 80 per cent and annual recertification.

Premier Nathan Rees said the guns would be made available to frontline officers after a successful trial period.

“Tasers will be rolled-out for frontline police officers as part of the 2009/10 record $2.6 billion Police budget,” Mr Rees said.