The accidental discharging of a Taser gun by an officer in Bendigo earlier this month, has Victoria Police defending the training provided to members equipped with the stun guns.

Officers from Bendigo and Morwell are participating in the 12-month trial of the Taser guns, where according to Superintendent Mick Williams an officer testing one of the devices at the end of the shift, accidentally discharged it. Calling it a human error, William said the officer had received counselling.

Police from Victoria will be attending a conference of American police chiefs next week for addressing growing concerns regarding the safety of Taser guns.

Any conference findings could have ramifications for stun gun use in Victoria, where 30 of them are undergoing a trial in Bendigo and Morwell.

The Police Executive Research Forum will meet in Philadelphia for reviewing guidelines pertaining to the use of stun guns after the significant controversy surrounding the safety of such devices.

In 2008, an Amnesty International report on the use of Taser guns revealed they contributed to or caused around 50 deaths in America in the past seven years.

Superintendent Mick Williams travelling to Philadelphia Saturday said he knew of the report and acknowledged irresponsible use of the weapons overseas.

Williams said Victoria Police learning from other agencies’ Taser experiences, was confident the same mistakes would not be repeated in Victoria.

The 12-month trial that began in rural Victoria this month, will decide whether they are to be rolled out state wide after.