The PSNI could be equipped with CS spray in riot situations, it was disclosed last night. The Chief Constable, Mr Hugh Orde, has urged the Policing Board to support plans to introduce the weapon.
The board will this week debate whether the PSNI should follow other British police forces and issue canisters to officers. Some scientists have questioned the safety of the compound used in the CS spray.
A PSNI spokesman confirmed that extensive research had been carried out on the spray's effectiveness.
"CS spray is used by other police forces to provide officers with other means of dealing proportionately, and in a graduated manner, with situations where there is the potential for physical violence against either the officer or others.
"It would be in this context that the PSNI would seek to use CS spray. The PSNI research has culminated in Chief Constable, Hugh Orde, putting forward a proposal in the shape of a business case to the Policing Board."
Unionists have welcomed the proposal, but the SDLP has declined to commit itself until it studies the plans.
Ulster Unionist representative Mr Alan McFarland said that CS spray would give police the chance to temporarily incapacitate an offender and make an arrest.
"This is a directional spray that should not be equated with traditional CS gas tossed into a crowd," he said.
SDLP Policing Board member Mr Joe Byrne said that he wanted to hear the arguments before deciding whether or not to endorse use of the spray.