According to senior police management, Bendigo and Morwell were selected over other regional communities because of the high incidence of situations requiring police force.

In short, we were chosen because we have a bad reputation for antisocial behaviour incidents and violence when compared with other towns and cities across the state.

All uniformed police will be trained in how to use the stun guns in June, before a one-year trial commences on July 1.

The state’s most senior police officer, Chief Commissioner Simon Overland, says the trial will provide country police men and women with a non-lethal choice in handling violent situations, and for that at least, we should be grateful.

The use of an alternative weapon that diffuses a potentially deadly situation without further compromising the safety of others is a welcome development.

Police officers who have a stun gun should feel secure and more comfortable in the knowledge that if they are required to use the stun gun, it is not likely to inflict as much injury or damage upon an assailant, but it is still likely to remove the risk to the safety of police and the community by disarming the offender. What do you think?

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