The Police Commissioner is standing by his stance that police on the beat should not carry guns, despite the recent spate of armed incidents.

Mike Bush said the shooting of Pera Smiler after he fired shots in Upper Hutt on Tuesday highlights the unpredictable and dangerous events police officers sometimes face.

"No officer ever wants to be confronted with situations like this."

But he said such incidents are rare and should never be used as a reason to arm police.

Commissioner Bush said police are armed in the sense that a weapon is not far away when they need one, but they and the public are safer if they do not wear guns in their everyday work.

"They recently have been equipped with Tasers at all times, which are not lethal and function at close quarters. Guns reduce the options in tense situations."

Referring to an editorial in the New Zealand Herald, Mr Bush said it was "heartening" to see the professionalism of police staff acknowledged in these events.