The police union has repeated its call for all front-line police cars to carry hand guns in locked boxes to give officers better and quicker access to guns.

Police Association president Greg O'Connor said seven police had been shot dead in the past two years and front-line officers needed to have firearms in their cars so they could get to them immediately.

He said Police Commissioner Howard Broad should authorise every front-line patrol car to carry a Glock pistol in a locked gun safe between the driver and passenger.

Mr O'Connor said surveys showed half of the police officers and half of the public wanted police to be armed all the time.

He said because half of the people and police did not want police armed, a compromise would be having guns in locked boxes in cars.

He said New Zealand should follow the move of Norway, which introduced "lock boxes" in all front-line cars.

"It would give immediate access to firearms. If we don't do something, we are going to end up armed anyway."

- NZPA