PSNI officers have accepted that Mr Hugh Orde did not bow to political interests regarding his decision to cut back the full-time reserve.
The Chief Constable announced his decision on Thursday to reduce the reserve by 55 per cent and to phase out the remainder within three years.
The decision met with unionist fury, condemnation from Sinn Féin and severe criticism from the police unions.
The Police Federation, which represents the bulk of police officers, passed an emergency motion of no-confidence in Mr Orde following his decision.
However, at a meeting between the Chief Constable and the superintendents' body yesterday, the senior officers said they believed his assurances that the decision was based on operational grounds alone.
Mr Stephen Grange, president of the Superintendents' Association, said: "We accept those assurances." He added: "This is a difficult time for all those involved, and our members are committed to guarantee that adequate support and guidance is provided to full-time reserve officers and their families so that those involved are treated with dignity and sensitivity. The association is confident that our membership, working in partnership with the community, will continue to lead in the delivery of an effective policing service."
Unionist feuding continued yesterday with the DUP accusing the Ulster Unionists of failing to support fully their motion criticising the Chief Constable at the Policing Board on Thursday. Sinn Féin criticised the decision to retain some of the reservists as a contravention of the Patten Commission proposals.