Our View: Hold fire before arming all police

New Police Commissioner Peter Marshall has bravely stamped his authority over the arming of police in his first few days on the job.
The issue of cops and guns is a polarising one and often propelled into the public spotlight after a police shooting or change in police leadership.
Mr Marshall, a 38-year police veteran, steps into his role with good credentials. He has been a detective superintendent, assistant commissioner and was police commissioner in the Solomon Islands.
His stance over Tasers and firearms shows he is not afraid to make his views clear and is hopefully a sign the police will have strong leadership during his tenure.
He wants Tasers in every frontline car and says any officer that needs a gun shall have it. But he has stopped short of putting one on the hip of every officer, saying there is no evidence this will make police or the public safer.
The Police Association and Sensible Sentencing disagree and want routine arming.
Mr Marshall has made the right decision and his reasoning is sound.
While there have been police officers shot, the amount of firearms violence in this country has not yet reached a level that demands a Glock on every cop.
There is also the fear that more innocent people will be shot or more criminals will arm themselves if all officers have guns.
The push for greater access is the answer at this stage. Currently only one in four frontline cars have gun lockboxes and this needs to be remedied promptly.
Roving armed response vehicles that patrol cities around the clock are also a good option.
And should firearms training be improved?
Mr Marshall deserves the full backing of the government on this and other issues. He has a big job in front of him in turning around the police culture, which was slammed in a police report and linked with the departure of former deputy commissioner Rob Pope.
It is vital the Government lets him do his job and not interfere.
Related story: Victims group pushes to arm cops