The cost of policing the Drumcree stand-off has so far cost £3 million, PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has said.
Mr Boutcher has been speaking publicly for the first time in the five-day stand-off, addressing a public session of the Northern Ireland Policing Board this morning.
He said the police objective was to facilitate the Parades Commission determination that had approved the parade of 35 Orangemen along the Garvaghy Road.
"Without that determination such a parade would be unlawful. What it does not mean is that the police must accommodate that determination at all costs," he said.
Mr Boutcher said he also had a statutory responsibility to preserve the peace and maintain order.
"We are not back in 1997. We are not expected to, nor will we, force members of the Orange Order, many of whom are of a certain age, through a hostile crowd which will be unsafe and will be disproportionate and where the wider consequences for Northern Ireland could be catastrophic."
He said his aim was to facilitate the Parades Commission determination "but in a proportionate and safe way".
His officers, he said, had assessed to put the parade through on Sunday would have required a level of force that risked serious harm and an escalation into disorder.
"That would not have been proportionate".
Mr Boutcher said the unlawful protest would have "criminal consequences" for those involved especially anyone who had "incited and organised it".
He said he had spoken to the Public Prosecution Service about that issue, and a range of potential offences were being considered.
Mr Boutcher said the short time frame in which all this unfolded had been "incredibly unhelpful" especially with a complex legal process happening at the same time.
He said the PSNI once again were the "shock absorbers" when Northern Ireland society fractured.
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He told the policing board a "peaceful and lasting resolution" was in everyone's interest.
Mr Boutcher has said he does not currently believe it is necessary to ask the Secretary of State to review the Parades Commission determination over Drumcree.
Mr Boutcher was asked at the Policing Board why the intervention of Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant had not been sought.
He said: "For those watching online and members of the board, there is an opportunity for me as the Chief Constable, if I deem it appropriate to apply to the Secretary of State to review a Parades Commission determination.
"There is further legislation within that Act under Section 11, which provides the Secretary of State with a series of comprehensive powers.
"The board simply needs to be reassured that I am constantly reviewing that position.
"But at this stage, it is my judgment that that is not necessary.
"We are creating the time to resolve this, and that is in the interests of everyone."
