The Chief Constable Matt Baggott has defended his officers, as he answered criticisms over the PSNI's handling of a dissident bomb attack on Newry courthouse last month.
Firefighters reportedly extinguished a burning suspected getaway car, but the PSNI didn't secure the scene because of the fear they could be lured into a trap.
Officers received reports of the burning car at Drumintee 20 minutes after the blast, but left it for two days without forensic examination.
The burned out vehicle, which was abandoned in south Armagh minutes after the car bomb attack on the city's courthouse, was later removed by residents without police knowledge.
The car was recovered on Sunday, as officers conceded they had been"unable to respond as fully or as quickly" as they would have wished.
They explained that they had not initially approached the car in case it was a booby trap.
"I will never ever put pressure on people to move into a situation where they could be lured into their own damage or putting their own lives at risk", Mr Baggot has told UTV.
"We have to take our time... We have to be mindful of the risks".
"I have been a little concerned by some of the reporting that suggest somehow we can rush in and deal with devices quicker", he added.
Mr Baggott also insisted the PSNI was working more closely with its Gardai counterparts than at any other time as the dissident republican threat remains severe.
He told UTV: "We are making dozens and dozens of arrests and we are absolutely determined to put these people on the back foot where they deserve".
No-one was injured in the 250lb Newry bomb, but surrounding buildings were badly damaged.
© UTV News