THOUSANDS of police officers are likely to lose their jobs in Northern Ireland under a scheme to be administered by former Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten.
The Commission on Policing Northern Ireland is expected to recommend radical reforms for the Royal Ulster Constabulary which is widely distrusted by the Catholic community.
A key part of the peace agreement is the establishment of the commission to reform the police which is expected to mean a big reduction in existing manpower.
The constabulary has grown from 3,000 officers when the troubles began to its current strength of 12,000, plus a large number of part-time reserve officers.
London School of Economics political scientist Brendan O'Leary said he expected the Commission on Policing headed by Mr Patten to recommend cutting the force back to its original size.
Professor O'Leary said: 'Currently Northern Ireland is a place where one sector of the community is policing another.
Mr Patten will have to change that radically.