OTTAWA, June 18 (Reuters) - The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said on Wednesday it would cut the use of electronic stun guns made by U.S.-based Taser International Inc. TASR.O.

The Mounties made the announcement shortly after the federal force’s watchdog issued a stinging report which slammed police for using Tasers -- also known as conducted energy weapons (CEW) -- too often. The watchdog recommended that Tasers only be used on suspects who posed a serious threat.

“We will act on the recommendations as quickly as possible to provide clearer direction to our members, to further restrict situations in which the CEW can be deployed, and to develop and implement measures to enhance accountability,” the RCMP said in a statement. (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Frank McGurty)