Police have been authorised to shoot and kill drivers who deliberately or recklessly risk the lives of the public as part of a new hostile vehicle policy – the first of its type in Australia.

The order, inserted in the police manual from Monday, states police must take decisive action that ranges from stationary blockades to using lethal force to save lives.

Options will include ramming vehicles, using stop sticks, creating blockades using police cars, commandeering heavy commercial vehicles, including garbage trucks and - as a last resort - shooting the driver.

James Gargasoulas did "doughnuts" outside Flinders Street Station minutes before he murdered six people in Bourke Street.

“If the circumstances warrant the action, members may use lethal force against the driver of a hostile vehicle in order to stop an attack,” the order states.