PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde has welcomed today's decision by Sinn Féin to change its policy on policing.
"Today's decision is welcome. Our view has always been that policing is a public service which every member of the community should be able to access on an equal and equitable basis. I have always said that no ideology or individual should stand between the public and that service and that the community is entitled to have their public representatives hold this police service to account."
Mr Orde issued the statement soon after the party passed a motion that will allow Sinn Féin to sit on policing bodies and to encourage nationalists to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
"I believe that the community has recognised for some time now the value and importance of the professional and dedicated service provided by the officers and staff of the Police Service of Northern Ireland on a daily basis," Mr Orde said.
"I recognise and pay tribute to the courage and determination of people both inside and outside the police service who have enabled us to arrive at this moment. It marks another step along a road which has travelled through some difficult territory and visited pain and hurt on many families, including policing families"
"It is important that we don't forget that history at this moment but we should be comforted by the potential now for a better future. Our shared objective should be to secure a safer Northern Ireland for everyone."