FOR most people in the North, the primary requirement of a system of investigating complaints against the police is that it should be independent and be seen to be independent, according to the author of a major review report on the issue.
Dr Maurice Hayes, in his report to the British government, has recommended that there should be a police ombudsman for Northern Ireland, responsible to Westminster with the duty to investigate complaints and to report findings.
This new full time office, to be filled by someone of the quality and experience of a senior judicial figure, would have much more extensive powers than the existing Independent Commission for Police Complaints (ICPC) which has, in fact, sought such powers.
The proposed ombudsman would have a staff of experienced investigators and would investigate complaints against police, even where the action complained of might amount to criminal behaviour if proven. In such cases the ombudsman would carry the criminal investigation through to a recommendation to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The ombudsman would have power to decide what is a complaint, the power to intervene, the power to decide how and by whom the complaint should be investigated, and the power to recommend action.
Launching his report in Belfast yesterday, Dr Hayes said the most important objective was the need to secure greater public and police confidence in the system for handling complaints. "It became clear to me at an early stage that there is a worrying lack of public confidence, and indeed police trust, in the existing system."
He said the present standard of proof required in disciplinary case the criminal standard should be changed. "One of the reasons why so few complaints are substantiated is hat the standard of proof is impossibly high," he said.
Dr Hayes's report also discussed the need for cultural change in the RUC and its disciplinary structure - "I think the police have to change the structure and open it up," he said.
The main thrust of the Hayes recommendations has already been broadly welcomed by the Police Authority and by the Chief Constable, Mr Ronnie Flanagan.
The Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, who commissioned the review, said the government would be considering it, in discussion with those most directly affected before responding formally.