Civilians could be patrolling the streets of Northern Ireland under plans revealed today.
Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) would undertake neighbourhood policing in support of uniformed officers.
The British government insisted the move would not create two-tier policing and added that applicants would be vetted to the same standard as regular police.
Thousands of full-time reserve officers lost their jobs under recommendations in the Patten report on policing. The cuts were made as part of moves to make way for more Catholic recruits and slim the police service.
Critics said this had left the force under-resourced and unprepared for any resurgence of violence.
The Northern Ireland Office is to begin a public consultation on policing issues that will also include the introduction of PCSOs. The Northern Ireland Policing Board has also endorsed this initiative.
PCSOs from Merseyside and Lancashire Constabularies are visiting Northern Ireland over the next two days to share their experiences.
PA