The RUC has been accused of deliberately deceiving two senior gardai who applied for the vacancy of Assistant Chief Constable in the North.
The two officers had applied for the position, but failed to reach the interview stage because they had not completed a British police management course.
Although applications for the new force in the North are being encouraged on both sides of the border, gardai are now said to be less likely to apply.
Senior gardai are thought to be furious at the snub to their senior officers.