Members of the North's policing board have made an unprecedented demand for a meeting with the Northern Secretary, worried by "behind-closed-doors" negotiations with Sinn Féin, to extend restorative justice schemes.
The board, including all the party political members, is concerned that local schemes could mean a two-tier system of policing leading to what board chairman Prof Sir Desmond Rea described as "self-appointed groups taking on quasi-policing roles".
In a letter to Peter Hain, Sir Desmond said that members of the board supported restorative justice in principle, but would only back it "where good practice and robust protocols surround it".
He also said that the board was "adamant" that any new restorative justice system must not exclude the police service.
"Members feel that the establishment of a two-tier system would be extremely damaging to the policing service, and would do a grave disservice to the Northern Ireland community, whatever the political drivers," he wrote.
He continued: "Members unanimously agree that government should not be progressing any initiatives of this nature unless, and until, all political parties have endorsed the existing police structures. Only then will the time be right for such initiatives, and only then can we be assured that the PSNI will be involved, will remain involved and will not be ousted at some point in the future because of the political imperatives of the day."
The move was backed by Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey. Accusing the British government of "fascination with semi-democratic republicans", Sir Reg said those who had agreed to participate in policing should be left to do the job.
"To push ahead with these proposals would be to destroy the one body, which is actually working. The policing board has been engaged in good work. It should continue to be accountable and democratically controlled. A pledge from the government to produce no more backdoor reforms would add a little clarity," he said.