The Ulster Democratic Party has called on the RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, to allow RUC rank-and-file police officers to give their views on the Patten recommendations during the three-month consultation period set aside for the report.
Speaking after a meeting with the Chief Constable yesterday the party leader, Mr Gary McMichael, said Sir Ronnie's view had been expressed but the public and politicians also needed to gauge the opinion of the force's grassroots. He said his party was willing to take the lead from those most affected by the report.
The UDP, the political wing of the UDA-UFF, has expressed concern over the symbolic changes to the force suggested in the document, such as the changing of the name of the RUC to the Northern Ireland Police Service.
Loyalists are most concerned about the removal of the Union flag from police stations, Mr McMichael said.
"In order for a rational, intelligent debate to take place on the report's recommendations you have to take a lead from those that are most directly affected.
"Strong views have been expressed already by politicians from all sides, and community leaders, but thus far we have yet to establish the reaction of the grassroots within the RUC itself."
According to Mr McMichael up to 16,000 people, including officers and civilian staff could be affected by 175 proposals contained in the document.
"These proposals affect their future most directly and I want to know how they feel about Patten's recommendations. They should be given a proper input into the consultation on the report."
Mr McMichael said that at the end of the process his party wished to see sensible decisions being taken which were representative of the views of the community and the police, so that a modern police force could be created which commanded the support of all aspects of the community.
The Democratic Unionist leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, has again spoken out against Mr Chris Patten, chairman of the commission on the future of policing in Northern Ireland, who has now been appointed the European Union Commissioner for External Affairs.
Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg at the conclusion of the debate which elected the new Commission, Dr Paisley said the Patten recommendations were an insult to the 302 officers killed during the North's troubles.
"The people I represent have no confidence in Commissioner Patten. His insult to our honoured police dead and to our honoured police maimed is something we will not tolerate.
"Mr Patten may forget but we will not forget. He may bury their heroism but we will see to it that their heroism still lives. Solemnly I salute them today in this house."