A MAJOR shake up of the RUC is planned by the British government and the force itself, according to a report in today's Daily Telegraph.
The Northern Ireland Office confirmed last night that ministers were working on reforms of police structure, but declined to give details. The report says a White Paper to be published later this month will set out new lines of accountability for the force.
It will, for the first time, define the responsibilities of individual officers and enshrine in law that they are expected to act in due deference to both traditions in Northern Ireland, the newspaper says.
The White Paper will also transfer financial and administrative responsibility for the RUC from the police authority to the Chief Constable, bringing the force into line with other UK police forces,
Cuts in the number of police officers from 12,000 to around 4,000 are anticipated. Even the name of the RUC may be changed, although the prefix Royal is expected to stay.