Taser stun guns are used by police forces in Britain

Chief constable Sir Hugh Orde is considering introducing Tasers which use an electric current to stun and immobilise violent offenders.

The ombudsman would be responsible for investigating any complaints from the public about their use.

Mrs O'Loan said if she felt there was a need for Tasers, she would say so.

"I have no say as to whether the police chose to use tasers or not. That is a policing decision which they will make," she told BBC Radio Ulster's Sunday Sequence programme.

"But if it were that I found there was a need for something like a taser, then I would feel entitled to say it.

"I haven't identified such a gap yet."

Tasers are already in use by police forces in England, Scotland, Wales and the USA.