South Australian police officers will be allowed to personally carry Tasers and use them on unarmed offenders under new guidelines.
Electronic control devices previously had to be kept in the boot of a patrol vehicle and could only be produced against offenders carrying weapons.
The new guidelines will allow uniformed officers to wear Tasers on their belts, with use permitted on unarmed offenders in high-risk situations.
Deputy Commissioner Grant Stevens says the deployment of Tasers will remain heavily regulated to prevent inappropriate use.
"I can say with a high degree of confidence that we won't see those sorts of behaviours in South Australia," he told reporters on Wednesday.
Under the new policy, one Taser will be issued to each patrol crew for every shift.
Officers can only carry Tasers if they have successfully completed a training program and are currently certified.
The devices will be fitted with infrared video cameras which automatically records upon activation, and reviews will be completed every time they are deployed.
"The opportunity for (officers) to resort to this particular tactical option...provides a higher level of operational safety," Mr Stevens said.
Tasers had been produced by officers on 355 occasions and discharged 78 times since their use was expanded to general duty officers in 2009, he said.
There were no instances of misuse recorded during this time.
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