Unionist politicians in Northern Ireland have reacted angrily to the news that a new police recruit wore a medal honouring the old IRA at a passing out parade.
A picture of the PSNI officer wearing the medal was published in last month's Police Gazette.
The medal, known as the Black and Tan medal, was issued in 1941 by the then Government to honour those who had fought in the War of Independence.
The PSNI said today that its policy allowed officers whose relatives had been honoured by the British government or any other national government to wear their medals at a graduation ceremony.
However, Unionist Assembly members say the incident has caused offence to police families who lost relatives in IRA attacks.
The UUP's Tom Elliot said it was frankly disgusting and the DUP's Arlene Foster indicated her party would be raising the controversy at the next meeting of the North's policing board.
Ulster Unionist Policing Board member and North Belfast MLA Fred Cobain said he would press the PSNI Chief Constable or one of his deputies for an explanation.
But another Board member Alex Attwood of the SDLP said unionism needed to recognise that there are other traditions and histories on this island. The West Belfast MLA said the PSNI have made their policy governing these matters clear.
It is estimated that more than 60,000 such medals were issued by the Government.
