Former convicted terrorists will not be allowed to become part of future policing arrangements in Northern Ireland, policing board chairman Sir Des Rea insisted today.
He warned: "This board will not allow progress that has been made on policing to slip - nor to become a football for the purposes of political expediency."
There had been some claims that ex-IRA men with criminal records could be recruited to serve as community officers after Sinn Féin endorsed Sir Hugh Orde's police service.
Sir Des said he was alarmed at the speculation on British government talks on future membership requirements, even though reforms by former Hong Kong governor Chris Patten - accepted as part of the 1998.
Belfast Agreement - stated that people with serious criminal or terrorist backgrounds should not be considered.
"That is the majority board viewpoint," he told a board meeting in Ballymena, Co Antrim. We will not be waiting for any government settlement with political parties."
Sir Des revealed nearly 200 officers had been hurt trying to keep the peace on the streets over the summer.
PA