Northern Ireland's Oversight Commissioner, Al Hutchinson, has stressed that policing reforms are at a critical point.
In his 12th report on the pace of change, the former Royal Canadian Mounted Police Chief said real and significant progress had been made.
But he said there had been slow progress in transforming heavily fortified police stations into more normal and welcoming buildings.
Mr Hutchinson also insisted more was needed to boost community relations and the numbers of Catholics employed as civilian staff.
He said one of the big success stories of the reforms has been the introduction of policing partnerships across the 26 district councils.
However, he cautioned that if independent members were replaced after local elections next year, hard-won expertise would be lost.
