The Queensland Police Service has received more than 200 military grade assault rifles in a major upscaling of firepower for general duty officers.

The AR-15s are lightweight, semi-automatic guns that use laser optics, meaning they're deadly accurate at more than 100 metres, and will be in the hands of general duty police officers.

In an exclusive demonstration, Queensland Police Service instructor Luke Finney told 9NEWS the rifles will be used in “a tactically dangerous situation such as a siege or an armed offender involved in criminal activity, counter-terrorism and also in relation to an active armed offender”.

The rollout, which cost more than $1 million, comes just over a month after Senior Constable Brett Forte was murdered in Toowoomba. His killer Rick Maddison was armed with a machine gun.

Police say the weapons will help them to deal with the new threats they now face. (9NEWS) (9NEWS)

The AR-15s are lightweight, semi-automatic guns that use laser optics and are deadly accurate. (9NEWS) (9NEWS)

Police say the weapons, which will be issued during the upcoming Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, will be a vital tool in helping them to deal with the new threats they now face.

“We need to at least have equal or better to what is out there in the community,” Police Union President Ian Leavers said.