Changing the name and symbols of the RUC to establish the North's new policing service has stolen the soul of the force, according to a senior officer.
Addressing the RUC Superintendents' conference in Templepatrick, Co Antrim, yesterday, Det Chief Supt Bill Lowry also expressed fears that operational policing was suffering from a lack of British government funding. Mr Lowry said the removal of the force's name and symbol was a "slap in the face" to officers who were killed or injured. He called on the Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, to provide assurances that the new symbols would not be "foisted" on serving members.
"Our membership considers that you have stolen our organisation's soul and we would wish to be reassured by you, today, that we, and the other staff associations, will be fully consulted about any proposals in relation to new symbols and badges."
He said the cutbacks meant the number of stations in the North could be reduced prematurely. Members had misgivings that the policing model was moving too rapidly in the direction of a peaceful situation. Mr Lowry argued that the full-time RUC reserve should not be disbanded for the foreseeable future, as violence was likely to occur during this summer's marching season.
He said the cutbacks also came at a time when dissident republicans were growing; loyalist paramilitaries were attacking Catholics - and each other; "punishment" attacks occurred nightly and organised crime was on the increase.
"In these times of change, in which the RUC has moved forward faster than anyone else, people aren't coming along with us. The government has been niggardly, we think, in their supply of money to make these changes proper and effective." Commenting on republican demands for public inquiries into alleged actions by the RUC, he argued that these inquiries aimed to put the force into "liquidation". However, he stressed the association did not condone wrongdoing by any officer.
Despite the association's unease with the 50/50 religious recruitment policy for the new service, Mr Lowry said it "fervently" hoped it would bring high-quality officers into the force.
A total of 7,208 applications have been received in response to advertisements. A total of 332 applicants were from the Republic.
Dr John Reid said the RUC would be provided with the necessary capabilities and resources to protect the community and uphold the law. He acknowledged that the RUC faced "unique pressures".
"This is an ambitious programme of change and this government will give you the support you need to carry it through."
Meanwhile, an RUC spokesman yesterday confirmed that all the issues raised by this week's UTV Insight programme, which alleged that the RUC special branch blocked an investigation into a loyalist who admitted killing Mr Pat Finucane in 1989, were under investigation by Deputy Assistant Commissioner Mr Hugh Orde, of the Stevens inquiry.
A spokesman for the Derry-based Pat Finucane Centre repeated its call for an independent judicial inquiry into the killing.