Chief Commissioner Simon Overland last week announced police at Morwell and Bendigo would trial the conducted energy devices - better known as stun guns or tasers - in a Victoria-first pilot program.

Nationals MLA for Morwell Russell Northe said he supported ``in principle'' the program but the real answer to crime was increased police numbers and presence.

From 1 July one officer per police vehicle will carry a device in addition to their firearm in an effort to use firearms as a last resort.

Mr Overland said the 12-month pilot would enable Victoria Police to determine whether the devices were an effective tool for regional cops.

He said specialist squads could respond to metropolitan incidents but ensuring the same level of support was available in country areas was a challenge.

He acknowledged there were differing views on the use of tasers but said police were now in a stronger place to test their use.

``Earlier this year we introduced a new training package which strongly focuses on critical incident response, in particular communicating with vulnerable people and better understanding mental disorder,'' Mr Overland said.

All devices are equipped with cameras with audio and visual capabilities so all incidents will be recorded.

Mr Overland said any misuse of the devices would be addressed and the program would be carefully controlled.

``I've made my expectations to our police very clear as to when they should or should not be using the devices,'' he said.

``The device is only to be used to prevent death and serious injury in highly volatile incidents.

``They are absolutely not to be used for compliance.''

Mr Northe said there was a ``significant gap'' between the use of capsicum spray as a means of arrest or apprehension compared to that of lethal force such as a firearm.

``If taser guns can fill this gap that would be a positive step in the right direction,'' Mr Northe said.

``These devices provide a better option than lethal force and would limit the risk of serious injury to both police officers and those they are attempting to apprehend.''

Uniform and traffic police will be trained to use the devices in coming months.

The program will run until July next year.

Read more in a letter to the editor from Superintendent Neville Taylor in Thursday's Express.