THE Northern Ireland Police Authority has backed the suggestion that an independent ombudsman be appointed to investigate complaints against the RUC. The RUC Chief Constable, Mr Ronnie Flanagan, also broadly welcomed the concept.
The proposal is believed to be the main recommendation of a report on procedures for dealing with police complaints, due for publication today.
The report is the result of a 15 month review of the issue carried out by a former senior civil servant, Dr Maurice Hayes, at the request of the British government.
According to extensive "leaks" of the Hayes report yesterday, it will recommend the replacement of the Independent Commission for Police Complaints (ICPC) and the appointment of an ombudsman and a team of independent investigators, who could "call themselves in" to investigate incidents rather than wait to be asked.
The report also recommends a number of simplifications of the RUC internal discipline procedures.
The Police Authority chairman, Mr Pat Armstrong, said that on the basis of the published speculation the Hayes recommendations appeared to be in line with submissions made to him by the authority.
The authority's submission had also sought a greater use of informal resolution of complaints. It had suggested that complaints about operational policy be dealt with by the authority, and that the authority should also remain responsible for disciplining senior officers. The Hayes report appeared to concur with the authority on these issues also, Mr Armstrong, said.
The introduction of an ombudsman for police complaints was one of the suggestions made by the ICPC itself in a recent report. At present, complaints against the RUC are investigated by police officers and the investigation is "overseen" by the ICPC.
Mr Flanagan said: "I am on the record as saying that I would welcome a totally independent system of investigation of complaints against the police."
He did not think, however, that, the quality of the investigations by the RUC had ever been the issue - "I accept that there is an issue about the perception of people investigating themselves."
The ICPC chairman, Mr James Grew, said he understood that the proposal was that the existing commission staff and technical expertise would be built upon. If so, the ICPC would welcome the Hayes ideas.