High-powered lights will be attached to the guns of all frontline officers, in a move set to give Queensland police the edge over suspects during shootouts and other dangerous situations.
Tactical response officers already use similar technology, but the rollout across the Queensland Police Service (QPS) will help officers first on the scene of armed sieges.
Currently police who need to draw their weapons in the dark must carry their torch in one hand and gun in another, reducing shot accuracy.
"With both hands on their firearm, it gives them a more stable shooting platform and they're able to acquire their target more rapidly and more effectively," Sergeant Lucas Finney said.
"We have had officers wanting this for a number of years. We did trial weapon-mounted lights several years ago, and from there we've been working on rolling them out to all the police in the state."
The QPS has spent about $4.5 million to purchase the Surefire X300 Ultra lights, along with new Safariland gun holsters.
The lights clip onto the front accessory rail on police pistols, and are powerful enough to temporarily blind a suspect or illuminate a person 50 metres away.
They can only be used in scenarios where police are allowed to draw their weapons, meaning officers will need to continue using regular torches.
The rollout of the lights and holsters began in July, and most police stations will receive the equipment before the Commonwealth Games next April.
Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said the new technology was "a very positive thing".
"What we have seen is an investment in the last two to three years with the research and development of equipment for operational police," he said.
