Sir, There is an urgent need for change in the investigation of complaints against the RUC. The Conference of Religious of Ireland (CORI), Northern Region, made the following points in a recent letter to Maurice Hayes, who is heading the commission to investigate proposed changes.
Firstly, it is vital that solicitors be allowed to attend police interviews with suspects at holding centres and police stations. These interviews should be recorded both visually and by audio means. Without these changes procedures will not be seen to be fair and transparent.
Secondly, the degree of certainty used in assessing complaints needs to be lowered. At the moment evidence has to be of the same level as that required for a conviction in criminal cases. While recognising the need to be completely fair to an accused officer, we think a slightly lower level of proof that evidence be "clear and convincing" is more appropriate in investigating complaints. This is the level currently used in some other jurisdictions, such as Berkeley, California.
Thirdly, it is very important that any complaints authority include independent civilian investigators. The RUC cannot credibly investigate themselves if they operate on their own. Hence the need for civilians to work alongside police investigators.
Unless these issues are addressed urgently along with others it will not be possible to increase public confidence in policing. Yours, etc Justice Sub Group, Conference of Religious of Ireland, Northern Region, Springfield Road, Belfast.