The WA Police Commissioner will not change the force's stun gun policy after a man caught fire when he was shot by a Taser in a remote Aboriginal community yesterday.

Karl O'Callaghan said stun guns were preferable to officers drawing their firearms, adding that circumstances could have been "far more grave" if a gun had been used on the 36-year-old.

He also defended the two officers involved and said an investigation was underway into whether a cigarette lighter or the Taser caused the flames.

The man, who Mr O'Callaghan said "had a history of violent offences", was airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment after he was struck by the Taser. He is in a critical condition in the burns unit.



One of the officers was also injured after being struck on the head with rocks thrown by an 18-year-old woman while trying to help the man. He suffered burns to his hands and a cut to the head, which needed five stitches.