Routine arming avoids spike in officer-involved shootings if implemented with right training and protocols

17th July 2026Sarah Gibbons, Contributing Editor, Policing Insight

New research by Monash University into the routine arming of officers highlights that the view that “more guns on belts inevitably lead to more people being shot” is not borne out by the evidence – with officer-involved shootings actually falling in some instances – provided that the move to the mandatory carrying of firearms is accompanied by a suitable transition period, the right training, and effective de-escalation protocols, reports Policing Insight’s Sarah Gibbons

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Routine arming avoids spike in officer-involved shootings if implemented with right training and protocols

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