Sinn Féin has criticised the Chief Constable over an interview given to a Belfast newspaper, accusing him of bias and political interference.
Mr Hugh Orde told the Irish News yesterday that Provisional IRA beatings had increased perhaps because there was no prospect of electoral damage to Sinn Féin following the postponement of Stormont elections in May.
He also claimed it was "highly likely" the Provisionals had abducted and killed Mr Gareth O'Connor, missing from his Co Armagh home since May 11th.
Mr Gerry Kelly, Sinn Féin's policing spokesman, accused the Chief Constable of "making a blatant political intervention and electioneering".
He claimed Mr Orde had already broken promises made when he took up office at PSNI headquarters 11 months ago.
"When Hugh Orde took on the job of PSNI Chief Constable he declared that he was a policeman not a politician, and that policing would be his only concern.
"He promised to be the man who would change the old system. From [this] interview it is clear that rather than change the RUC, the RUC has changed Hugh Orde."
Mr Kelly accused Mr Orde of over-concentration on alleged republican activity and ignoring or minimising "the ongoing loyalist campaign against Catholics".
He continued: "He also seeks to continue the cover-up around collusion. He tries to explain the policy of state-sponsored murder away with tired old line about a few bad apples, and he contends that no members of the PSNI should face trial for their role in hundreds of murders.
"None of this washes with the nationalist community."
He accused the PSNI under Mr Orde of being "a highly-political force at the centre of efforts to frustrate the advance of the peace process".
Sinn Féin continues to withhold support for the new policing dispensation despite pressure from the Irish Government, London and the US. The SDLP has backed the PSNI, and takes its seats on the Policing Board. The Catholic Church has also given support, and the GAA has dropped the rule banning police officers from membership.
Mr Kelly said that briefings to selected journalists at crucial and sensitive times in the process continued to emanate from the PSNI.
"Now we have its Chief Constable engaging in a political attack on Sinn Féin. Hugh Orde and the PSNI still have a considerable journey to make to reach the threshold of the acceptable and non-partisan policing service demanded by the agreement."