Republicans and loyalists were urged today to play their part in delivering normal policing to Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain, in an address to the British Irish Association in Cambridge, ruled out for the second time this week any role for former paramilitaries in policing.
With Sinn Fein still refusing to urge its supporters to recognise the Police Service of Northern Ireland because it believes reforms do not go far enough, Mr Hain insisted it was time to free policing from politics.
"People are ahead of our politicians," he argued. "Let no-one stand in the way of creating a better, safer community. My message to everyone - from loyalists to republican - is: work with the PSNI and allow others to do so.
"You cannot have a normal society without normal policing and those who aspire to self Government all need to support and work with the police."
Speculation has been mounting in recent weeks that ex-prisoners from loyalist and republican paramilitary groups could have their records wiped clean to enable them to join as community support officers.
Last week Northern Ireland's most senior policeman Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde said he would resist anyone with a criminal record joining the PSNI. Policing Board chairman Prof Desmond Rea has also expressed deep reservations about the idea as have Ulster Unionists and the SDLP.
Mr Hain acknowledged the importance of police integrity to the Northern Ireland public. But while he ruled out a role for paramilitaries in the police, he also said the idea of community officers would have to be considered.
PA