Published Tuesday, 13 October 2009
They made it clear they had not seen details of the package offered after a series of talks between Gordon Brown and Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness.
Deputy Chief Constable Judith Gillespie said: "The Chief Constable has not had sight of the details of the settlement for the devolution of policing and justice.
"However we can state that we are encouraged by the progress to date and we look forward to working with the Northern Ireland Policing Board on taking the proposal forward."
Sinn Fein is poised to formally accept the Prime Minister's package but Mr Robinson insists he will not be rushed and still needs clarification on certain aspects of the offer.
However, addressing a dinner for the Police Rehabilitation and Retraining Trust in Belfast on Monday about the most recent discussions with Mr Brown he said:
"The funding offer from the Prime Minister which we received goes beyond anything on offer previously."
The DUP will eventually decide whether to accept the package and Mr Robinson wants it rubber stamped by David Cameron as he could be in Downing Street within months.
Mr Robinson also wants discussions with PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott and David Lavery, director of the Northern Ireland Court Service, before making his decision.
'On the cusp'
Meanwhile, Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson are expected to travel to Downing Street on Tuesday as Sinn Fein and the DUP edge closer to a deal.
The latest in a series of meetings with Gordon Brown follow a positive reception from the Northern Ireland power-sharing partners to the Prime Minister's proposals shifting security responsibility from London to Belfast.
Financing the settlement has been a major sticking point in recent weeks, while yesterday US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Assembly members her country was ready to help in whatever way it could.
After discussions on policing and justice at Downing Street on Thursday Deputy First Minister Mr McGuinness said all sides were on the cusp of agreement.
First Minister Mr Robinson said recent negotiations with the Prime Minister had won millions of pounds more for the policing and justice budget.
Tensions over the issue rose over recent weeks when Mr McGuinness publicly criticised Mr Robinson. He challenged the DUP leader to face-down elements in the DUP who are opposed to a deal with republicans and who fear losing support in the forthcoming general election.
The DUP leader has said his party is united and stressed he would not be rushed on devolving policing and justice, which he said was a life and death issue that had to be handled with care.
The DUP has also handed Mr Brown a letter demanding movement on a series of issues to help bolster confidence in the unionist community.
The demands include a call for the scrapping of the Parades Commission, the retention of the police reserve which is scheduled to be phased out, plus moves to allow former security force members easier access to personal protection weapons.
The republican source has claimed that the police and court service financial requirements had been met by Downing Street.
He added that a government commitment was now in place to fund a new police training college in Cookstown, Co Tyrone.
Another four military sites are to be passed to the Assembly, including a former base at Omagh, Co Tyrone, where there are plans to construct a cross-community schools campus.