The Police Federation of Northern Ireland, which represents RUC officers, said it did not want the RUC to be used as a political football and it was concerned with some policing issues proposed.
The federation's vice-chairman, Mr Jimmy Spratt, said: "We must draw to the attention of the entire community our grave concerns at any reduction of the full-time reserve numbers, given the security and policing implications at this time.
"Already 2,000 officers have left the service as the security and public order situation continues to deteriorate."
Mr Spratt also criticised the pledge to limit and replace plastic bullets if possible. "We question the necessity to again raise the issue of plastic baton rounds when it is already the case that their use is only ordered when there is a serious risk of loss of life or serious injury.
"The scale of that risk is quantified by the fact that 500 officers have been injured in recent disturbances. It is a fundamental human right of officers that they are able to protect themselves from injury and death," he said.