Sinn Féin was today accused of trying to have it both ways over policing, after it rejected calls to join the new district policing partnerships (DPPs).
SDLP policing spokesman Mr Alex Attwood said the issue had exposed the lack of consistency at the heart of Sinn Fein's policy.
"Sinn Fein are at sixes and sevens over policing. In various councils around the north Sinn Fein have supported, opposed or abstained on the formation of DPPs," he said.
As a major recruitment campaign began to enlist independent members to the DPPs, the party's policing spokesman Mr Gerry Kelly said it would not join until the Patten recommendations on police reform were fully enshrined in legislation.
He said: "Ex-POWs are disqualified from being independent members of the DPPs despite the fact that Patten recommended that no barrier should be erected to the participation of nationalists and republicans.
"This is not an issue of timing. It is an issue of proper policing and getting that right.
Mr Attwood also hit out at Sinn Fein Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew's refusal to meet the Chief Constable over a loyalist death threat made against her.
"Sinn Fein appear to want to have their cake and eat it. On the one hand they complain that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) do not provide enough detail on security threats but on the other go to the PSNI to find out about sectarian threats.
"The threat to anyone's life is a serious matter and everyone involved, politicians and the PSNI, should do their utmost to try to prevent this.
"The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP should reflect further on the apparent confusion in her position," he said.
Sinn Fein is the only political party which has refused to sign up to the policing arrangements, and take its two seats on the main board.
With the exception of Belfast, which will have four, each of the 25 other district council areas will have its own policing partnership boards.
They will operate as sub-committees of the councils, advising on policing priorities and holding to account police commanders in their areas.
A major promotional campaign to find the independent members is to start next week.
PA