PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde last night vowed to press on with a pilot stun gun scheme despite being warned not to by the Policing Board.
Policing Board representatives passed a majority decision that no electronic Tasers should be deployed until an equality impact assessment is completed.
Sinn Féin representatives on the Board have refused to endorse Northern Ireland's latest policing plan because of their opposition to the 50,000-volt weapons.
But after the authority met in Bangor, Co Down, last night, Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde insisted he is committed to bringing in 12 Tasers for testing.
Mr Orde, who pointed out the guns are already used in forces across Britain, said: "I have a responsibility to protect the community and my officers and make available to them the best equipment to do a very difficult and on occasions very dangerous job," he said. "The pilot I discussed with the board will happen."
The PSNI has been criticised by human rights organisations over his plans to use Tasers, with many claiming not enough is known about the weapons.
Amnesty International's Northern Ireland director, Patrick Corrigan, today criticised Mr Orde's plan.
"Research into Taser use shows that here are serious doubts over the safety of these weapons, particularly when used on vulnerable groups of people such as those with heart conditions or under the influence of drugs," he said. "These concerns have already led a number of American law enforcement agencies to rule against using the devices."
PA