Frontline police told to carry guns on average once a week, figures reveal 15 Apr, 2021 08:14 PM 7 minutes to read Police responding to an incident in Wellington (file). Photo / RNZ RNZ By Jordan Bond, of RNZ. In recent months frontline police officers have been told to carry guns on average once a week throughout New Zealand, as fears around gun violence escalate. Some of these temporary arming orders - where all frontline officers can be armed - can span entire districts and last for days, usually while police investigate a shooting or other violence. Some say this is the safest response to a growing problem - others warn it increases the chances of injury and death.