Victoria Police is preparing one of the most significant changes to its operational equipment in years, with uniformed officers set to transition from individually assigned service pistols to a station-based firearm system by the end of 2026.
The change forms part of a broader equipment replacement program as the force phases out its current standard-issue Smith & Wesson M&P40 pistols, which are no longer being manufactured. Rather than assigning each officer a permanent firearm, the new model will see weapons securely stored at police stations and issued at the beginning of each shift before being returned when duties are complete.
Victoria Police says the transition is intended to improve operational efficiency while supporting the rollout of a new generation of service pistols. Under the station-based system, officers transferring between workplaces will no longer need to move personally assigned firearms, reducing administrative processes and simplifying equipment management. Police also note that similar arrangements already exist for other operational equipment, including Tasers.
The organisation has stressed that the current firearms remain safe for operational use while the transition takes place. Although production of the existing pistol has ended, spare parts will continue to be supplied to maintain reliability until every station receives the replacement firearms. Officials say the rollout has already begun and will continue progressively across Victoria before becoming standard practice statewide by the end of 2026.
Despite the planned changes, not all officers are convinced the new approach is the best option. Some members, particularly those working in regional areas, have expressed concern about sharing equipment that requires careful maintenance and regular inspection. Several officers told local media they worry that different handling standards between users could affect confidence in equipment that may be needed during high-risk situations. Victoria Police says a formal risk assessment concluded the change is operationally “risk neutral” and that consultation was undertaken with the Police Association Victoria, frontline officers and workplace health and safety representatives before implementation.
The firearm changes are occurring alongside broader upgrades to operational capability. Chief Commissioner Mike Bush recently announced that officers in Victoria’s Alpine region will also receive access to long-arm rifles similar to those used by specialist police units. The decision follows the fatal 2025 shooting of two police officers during the Dezi Freeman incident and is intended to provide additional protection for officers responding to high-risk situations in regional areas. Those rifles will likewise be stored securely at police stations and deployed through a shared armoury system.
Supporters of the station-based model argue that many police organisations already manage specialised equipment through central armouries rather than permanent personal allocation. They believe the approach simplifies inventory management, improves standardisation and allows replacement equipment to be distributed more efficiently when officers relocate or new firearms are introduced.
Others believe confidence in operational equipment is just as important as administrative efficiency. Police work often involves rapidly evolving situations where officers rely heavily on familiar equipment. For that reason, some serving members have suggested that regular maintenance standards, inspection procedures and accountability systems will be essential if the new model is to operate successfully.
Victoria Police has indicated that safety remains the priority throughout the transition and that existing firearms will continue to be maintained until they are fully retired. Officers will also receive training on the replacement weapons before they become operational, ensuring consistency in handling and qualification across the force.
As the statewide rollout continues over the coming months, the new armoury system is expected to become a significant operational change for Victoria Police. Whether the model ultimately delivers the efficiencies anticipated by the organisation while addressing concerns raised by some frontline officers will become clearer once implementation is complete across all stations.
