Victoria Police to be equipped with semi-automatic rifles

The Andrews government is set to spend $25 million to equip hundreds more Victorian Police with semi-automatic rifles.

Currently only officers in the Special Operations Group and Critical Incident Response Team are trained in the use of long-arm weapons.

But May's state budget will provide funding to roll out rifles across the Operational Response Unit, and into four regional areas.

More than 600 Police across the state will be trained in their use, over the coming 12 months.

Police Minister Lisa Neville said the move is designed to enhance the operational capability of Victoria Police.

"We want to make sure that Victorians wherever they live know that they've got police with the capabilities and equipment they need to really tackle those high risk events, like a terrorism event", she said.

The budget funding will include money to provide storage for the weapons at select 24 hour Police stations.

The Police Minister said the rifles will only be used in special circumstances, and will not be carried by officers on regular patrols.

The government is expected to make further police funding announcements tomorrow.

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