Calls by ACT Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson for all of Canberra's frontline police to be issued with Tasers fell flat in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.
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Mr Hanson used a private member's motion to call for the expanded use by ACT Policing, arguing officers wanted to be issued with stun-guns because they represented a safer alternative to traditional weapons used for law enforcement and community safety.
The motion called on the government to give ACT Chief Police Officer Rudi Lammers discretion to issue stun-guns to any officer, rather than current provisions which restrict their use to general duties sergeants.
Australian Federal Police Association chief executive Dennis Gellatly watched the debate and gave his support to Mr Hanson's motion.
Police Minister Simon Corbell said there was currently no recommendation for an expansion of stun-gun use by Assistant Commissioner Lammers and accused Mr Hanson of trying to score political points.
Government members and Greens minister Shane Rattenbury combined to defeat the motion.
"Tasers are a very effective tool for trained police when they are confronted with individuals who are posing a risk to the community, to the police or to themselves," Mr Hanson said.
"It is our responsibility to do everything to make sure that our community and our police are provided with the tools that allow them to protect themselves."
Mr Hanson said political decision making on the use of the controversial weapons, first introduced in the ACT in August 2011, was getting in the way of good policing.
"The case has been made for Tasers," he said.
"We know that our police down on the ground have got to be given the suite of tools available ... so they can apply the right use of force. Let's step the Assembly and the politicians out of this debate and say to the Chief Police Officer, 'it is your discretion'."
The government will keep a "watching brief" on expanding the use of stun guns, Mr Corbell said, arguing evidence showed the current balance was appropriate for the ACT community.
Freedom of Information documents released in September showed mental illness was a factor in at least seven of 11 incidents of stun-gun use by ACT Policing between January and May.
Last month police officers used a stun gun to subdue a mentally ill man who allegedly attacked police with a molotov cocktail at Brindabella Park.
ACT Policing said officers drew, aimed or discharged stun guns 37 times last financial year, two more times than in 2012-13. A report in 2012 also showed just over half of police who drew stun guns reported trying to negotiate with their potential targets first.
"The current arrangements reflect the position of the Chief Police Officer of the Australian Capital Territory and his advice to me," Mr Corbell said.
Mr Gellatly said there was a "groundswell" of support for stun guns amongst frontline police. He said their use had the potential to save lives and avoid escalating some policing operations.
Asked if political considerations had slowed further roll-out of stun guns in Canberra, Mr Gellatly said the Chief Police Officer should be free to provide the government with expert advice whenever needed.
"I would be confident that were the Chief Police Officer to put the matter to the minister, that the minister would certainly consider it."
