Sinn Féin claimed today PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde has damaged attempts to restore Northern Ireland's power-sharing government by cutting more than half his full-time reserve force.
The decision outraged some of his senior officers, and provoked rank-and-file representatives to pass a vote of no confidence in his leadership.
Mr Orde strenuously denied he had bowed to political pressure, stressing it had been based purely on operational considerations.
Even though the Chief Constable announced more severe cuts than expected - reducing the number of full-time reservists from just under 1,500 to 680 - Sinn Féin insisted he should have got rid of the force completely.
Party chairman Mr Mitchel McLaughlin said the announcement was "a very damaging statement". He accused Mr Orde and the Policing Board of foot-dragging.
Republican demands for further police reforms will be on the table when the political parties gather at Leeds Castle next Thursday for talks.