Two-thirds of Catholics would not consider joining the PSNI because of fears of being attacked, according to an attitude survey published yesterday.
The Community Attitude Survey, carried out by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency between January and December 2003, interviewed some 1,500 people.
Some 67 per cent of Catholics interviewed claimed that concerns about attack from within their own community prevented them from considering a career in policing. The figure is down from the 72 per cent total recorded in 2002.
The survey found fear of being criticised by family and friends was also a significant factor.
Catholics now account for some 14 per cent of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Recruits are now selected on a strict 50:50 basis, with each Protestant or "other" recruit matched by a Catholic.
But both Chief Constable Hugh Orde, and the chairman of the Policing Board, Prof Desmond Rea, have voiced concerns at the factors hindering Catholic recruitment.
Prof Rea said: "Any modern society that has a sizeable section of its community that feels unable to join its police service because of either fear or intimidation is a terrible indictment of that society."
His remarks follow this week's report by the Policing Oversight Commissioner which called for political endorsement by all the parties of the new policing arrangements.
Mr Al Hutchinson said the continued refusal of Sinn Féin to back the PSNI stood in the way of the realisation of the Patten Commission's recommendations.
Asked if he had met Sinn Féin representatives and examined their complaints, he answered: "I've seen all their objections. But I'm not going to enter into politics and I'm not going to tell Sinn Féin what to do or what not to do. I'm simply focusing on the impediment that's caused by their lack of participation. I have no idea who is right and who is wrong on some of those issues. I can only say there has been a tremendous amount of progress. The institutions of accountability and governance are in place and with the added support of political leaders, it really will be a winner."
Mr Fred Cobain, an Ulster Unionist member of the Policing Board, said Catholics' fear of reprisal still hindered recruitment.
"It's sad that we are never going to get an inclusive police service while paramilitarism still exists," he said.
"Despite all the progress that's been made on policing, so many Catholics still fear reprisal from paramilitary bully boys as a reason for not participating," Mr Cobain added.
The SDLP's Mr Alex Attwood said Catholics were continuing to sign up in the face of the threats.
"These figures confirm what the Oversight Commissioner Al Hutchinson said, that threats, intimidation and discouragement are holding back Patten. Yet despite this, Catholics are voting with their feet by joining in growing numbers."
The PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Paul Leighton found the survey encouraging, despite the obvious problems concerning the recruitment of Catholics.
"The survey clearly shows that while we have not yet gained the confidence of everyone, we have significantly improved confidence levels across the major communities in Northern Ireland," he said.
"Those who contribute to serving the public by joining the police have so much more to offer than those who would attack or intimidate them or their relatives."