POLITICAL representatives from all parties could be excluded from the interview panel for a new chief constable, following confidential legal advice received by the Policing Board.
If the recommendations are adopted, it will be the first time that the appointment of the head of the PSNI will happen without official political input.
Independent board members along with a panel of experts would instead be responsible for deciding who should fill the sensitive post.
Current chief constable George Hamilton is set to retire in June.
The Policing Board asked for legal advice from a senior employment lawyer after comments made by Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald in relation to the senior command team of the PSNI.
Following a meeting between Sinn Féin and police last month, to discuss a failure to disclose sensitive information on loyalist killings to the Police Ombudsman, Mrs McDonald was asked if she had confidence in any of the current leadership team to replace Mr Hamilton.
"No I don't," she replied.
"Is there somebody inside (the PSNI) who I think should be the chief constable, and I have to answer honestly that no, I can't identify such a person."
The party later clarified the comments, with Policing Board member Gerry Kelly saying every candidate would be "judged on their own merits". Ms McDonald does not sit on the board.
However, both the chief constable and the Police Federation criticised Sinn Féin.
Federation chair Mark Lindsay said: "This amounts to extraordinary interference in an open and transparent selection process.
"Her comments will call into question the objectivity and credibility of Sinn Féin representatives who will be involved in that selection process."
Under the Patten reforms of 1999, the Policing Board was set up provide political oversight of the PSNI and was given responsibility for appointing senior officers.
At a specially convened meeting of the board last week, political representatives from the five main parties were shown the confidential legal advice in a closed session but refused to reveal its contents.
A board spokesperson would only say yesterday: "The Policing Board has received legal advice in relation to the Chief Constable appointment process which is privileged."
