The vast majority of interactions with the public can be taken care of with non-lethal means, tasers, etc… (if any are even necessary).
Lethal weapons should be in a remote lock holster in their cruiser, and must be unlocked remotely by a supervisor on a per-case basis depending on the facts at hand (suspect’s history, potential risk, etc…)
Maybe that’s pie in the sky optimism, I don’t know.
Most police(wo)man in my country don’t carry weapons. Armed police have either batons and shields or guns (usually rifles). Police officers can apply for and be given service pistols if needed. Both guns and bullets have to be accounted for.