That limited $1 million distribution was criticised by the NSW Police Association, which has mounted a vigorous pro-Taser campaign, arguing that a "less than lethal" option was critical for police confronting volatile criminals who were often drug affected. The Police Association secretary Peter Remfrey said: "It's great that the State Government has finally stepped up and done what's right for both police and the community. "Too many officers who have served on the front line know what it's like to have to discharge their firearm, knowing that it could cost someone's life. Up to now they had no choice. Now our police will have another option available to them." NSW Premier Nathan Rees said the $10 million Taser allocation was part of a record $2.6 billion police budget. "The [Police] Commissioner has advised that, after a successful trial period, Tasers should be deployed to all front-line officers - and the NSW Government has delivered," Mr Rees said. "New funding will be allocated to provide 1962 Tasers to be rolled out across NSW over the next 18 months and every police officer will carry one [while] on duty.

"Police officers will undertake rigorous training before being armed with a Taser, starting from July 1 this year." Police Minister Tony Kelly said Tasers were an important part of the police armoury. "People are already getting the message about the Taser's effectiveness - the mere sight of the Taser was enough to resolve the conflict in 55 per cent of the times it was pulled from the holster," Mr Kelly said. An in-built safeguard would ensure responsible Taser use and accountability. "We have strict accountability measures for the Taser including the recording of audio and visual data for each use [Taser Cam], which is then reviewed by the deputy commissioner," Mr Kelly said.

Another big-ticket police budget item is $2.1 million for a night-flying helicopter as part of the PolAir fleet. "Helicopters are a vital part of our front-line police response - an eye in the sky helping police track down offenders," Mr Rees said. "The new twin-engine PolAir 3, to be delivered next financial year, is specially designed for low-level flying and features thermal imaging recording cameras for surveillance and night operations." More than $69 million will be spent planning and building new police stations, supporting up to 3000 construction jobs. Mr Rees said construction would start at eight new stations, with 37 to be upgraded.

Almost $61 million is earmarked for new stations to be built at Burwood, Camden, Granville, Kempsey, Lake Illawarra, Raymond Terrace, Riverstone and Wyong; there will be $4 million for planning work for new stations at Bowral, Coffs Harbour, Liverpool, Manly, Moree, Parramatta and Tweed Heads, and there will be $4.7 million to complete construction on the $11 million redevelopment of Windsor police station. Volts from the blue * The NSW budget will include $10 million for 1962 Taser stun guns, to be distributed to front-line police across the state. * They will add to the 50 Tasers trialled by the riot squad and the Tactical Operations Unit for about two years and the 229 Tasers distributed to police last year - bringing the total number to 2241. * In contrast with the previous roll-out, in which Tasers had to be signed out by supervisors, every officer will have a Taser on his or her belt; if working in a pair, one officer will carry the weapon.

* Described by advocates as a "less-than-lethal weapon", Tasers are promoted as a vital alternative in volatile situations in which police would use pistols. * Detractors say trigger-happy police are too quick to use Tasers, which are potentially deadly. * So far in NSW, Tasers have been used on about 100 offenders and have proved useful in violent domestic disputes. Police have drawn Tasers about 280 times, but the sight of the weapon has caused suspects to capitulate about 180 times. * They are not used in crowds because they could heighten tensions. Loading

* Police will receive eight hours' training, must excel in a written test and be certified annually to use the weapons. * A Taser fires a 50,000-volt charge that weakens to 1200 volts by the time of impact. It can be fired from up to 7.6 metres and immobilise an offender for 10 seconds.