An speech by the Garda Commissioner Mr Pat Byrne at the Garnerville training college in east Belfast - where 44 recruits took part in an historic Police Service of Northern Ireland graduation ceremony - has angered unionists.
Commissioner Byrne said: "You must always in your public office carry out your duties - and I say this to all our [graduates] in the Garda College and I emphasis it at all times. With out fear, favour, malice or ill-will.
"Treat everybody as you or your families would like to be treated if they had to deal with police officers. Maintain your impartiality, maintain your balanced approach to all issues. Do everything you can to can to enhance the relationship you have with the communities you serve".
Policing Board member Mr Ian Paisley jnr of the DUP responded to the Garda Commissioner’s speech by saying the ceremony had been "hijacked". This is a deliberate and calculated insult to the unionist people in Northern Ireland."
Mr Fred Cobain, an Ulster Unionist member of the board, pointed the finger at Sir Ronnie, now one of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, who had earlier paid glowing tribute to his former cross-border counterpart.
The North Belfast Assemblyman claimed: "This was a deliberate snub by Sir Ronnie. "He knew how sensitive this whole thing was to unionists and I'm personally disappointed with him. "He created a role for Pat Byrne here today which he shouldn't have had."
But Mr Alex Attwood, one of the nationalist SDLP representatives on the Policing Board, insisted it was right for Commissioner Byrne to have a prominent role at the event.
He argued: "What was agreed was the proposal that the (former) chief constable or any other outside person to do the review of graduates would not happen."
Today’s graduation makes the beginning of a staffing overhaul of Northern Ireland's reformed police service. The new force will be reduced from 13,000 to 7,500 and crucially will be comprised of 50-50 Catholic and Protestant officers.
PA