The policeman who ordered a naked man to be shot with a Taser causing him to fall to his death from a building ledge in New York has committed suicide.

Michael Piggott gave the order for a stun gun to be used on an emotionally disturbed man on September 24.

Imam Morales, 35, was chased naked through is apartment building in Brooklyn by police before stepping onto the ledge of the building.

In a video posted on the website of the New York Post, Mr Morales can be seen clambering along a building's fire escape until he reaches a ledge and begins swinging a large fluorescent light bulb at officers below. One of the officers raises a Taser at Mr Morales, who freezes and topples over headfirst.

During the standoff, Mr Piggott – who had been in the force for 21 years – ordered the use of the Taser. Mr Morales then fell 10 feet to his death.

Raymond Kelly, the New York Police Commissioner later said the use of the Taser in that situation had violated department rules and ordered further training for officers. Mr Pigott had been on desk duty since the incident. But early yesterday morning he took a gun from the police locker room and made the journey to Brooklyn’s Floyd Bennett Field, a disused airstrip. He was discovered there lifeless with a bullet wound to the head.

Stun guns have been used by the New York City police since 1984, and a report commissioned by the police earlier this year said they should be used more extensively. The report was requested following the 2006 death of Sean Bell, killed by police in a barrage of 50 shots on the day he was due to marry.

In a similar case nearly a decade ago, four police officers who fired 41 shots were acquitted in the death of an unarmed West African man, Amadou Diallo.

Critics say the use of Tasers might reduce the number of deadly police shootings but they are concerned about their overuse.

Times Recommends

• The Japanese Prime Minister is doomed: or is he?
• Brighton company 'involved in cyber attack'
• The art of survival: it's all in the mind