Northern Ireland's Police Ombudsman Mrs Nuala O'Loan tonight backed the PSNI's chief constable Hugh Orde's bid to arm his officers with controversial CS spray.
His plans to introduce the weapon as a new alternative to deal with close combat situations on the streets is expected to meet with some resistance.
But Mrs O'Loan's support could have a major influence when the Policing Board discusses his £2.5 million proposal in Belfast later this week.
After researching use of force by police she said: "In the interests of the best possible policing I think that it is necessary that Police Service of Northern Ireland officers have access to the best available equipment."
Unionists have given Mr Orde's scheme a broad welcome, but nationalists who are demanding the equally controversial baton rounds be scrapped have refused to commit themselves until they study the plans.
Some scientists who question the safety of the compound used in the spray have been testing alternatives. They insisted extensive research has been carried out on the effectiveness of CS Spray while its use by other forces across Europe has also been monitored.
The weapon is not to be confused with CS Gas, which has not been used in Northern Ireland for nearly 20 years.
But Ms Maggie Beirne of the Committee for the Administration of Justice (CAJ) argued many questions were still to be answered.
She said: "We would want to know in what situations the police are intending to use the sprays, what guidelines exist to prevent any abuse and what alternatives have been seriously studied."
PA