In its penultimate annual conference as part of the RUC, the Police Federation of Northern Ireland has heard impassioned pleas for the retention of the "Royal Ulster Constabulary" title, and criticism of nationalist politicians seeking change to the "Police Service of Northern Ireland" title proposed in the report by Mr Chris Patten.
The Police Federation chairman, Mr Les Rodgers, in his address to the conference yesterday spoke of the "hurt" felt by RUC members and particularly the families of the 302 officers killed in the Troubles.
He was speaking as the Northern Ireland Police Bill is progressing through the House of Commons, with nationalists and unionists lining up in opposition over the proposal to remove the "Royal" and "Ulster" connotations from the reformed police service.
With the introduction of the legislation next year, it is expected that the name of the RUC will be changed to the Police Service of Northern Ireland in October 2001.
Mr Rodgers said: "Whatever happens to the name of the RUC in the Police Bill the name is carved on more than just the tombstones of our murdered colleagues throughout Northern Ireland. It is also imprinted in the hearts and minds among a wider community where qualities such as sacrifice, dedication and service are admired.
"The majority of officers here will not end their service in the Royal Ulster Constabulary but as members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. I have to ask once again: how can a force which deserved the George Cross for its gallantry not be worthy of its name?
"It is a conundrum which government cannot bring itself to answer. But I and every officer in this room can. The loss of our proud name is a concession to the leaders of bitterly competing nationalist political parties. It is meant to strike a shameful bargain whereby if we lose our name they will endorse membership of the police service as a fitting career for young Catholics." Mr Rodgers was critical of the proposals which will provide two places for Sinn Fein on a new police board which, under the Bill, will replace the existing Police Authority of Northern Ireland.
"The last thing that Northern Ireland policing needs is an authority riven by its political appointees and unable to form a single coherent police," he said. "We are acutely aware that at least two members of that police board will have very direct terrorist associations."
He said the Chief Constable should take a "pragmatic approach" and restrict the amount of information he would divulge to a board containing Sinn Fein members. "The lives of officers, the effectiveness of police operations and the welfare of the people of Northern Ireland must never be put at risk or compromised while the credentials of any members of the board are in doubt."
Mr Rodgers maintained there was widespread support for the retention of the RUC title, saying 400,000 people had signed a petition calling for the retention of the name and badge bearing the crown and harp.
He questioned Sinn Fein's bona fides on the whole policing issue. He said the party had suggested a police service of 3,000 in size. This would have left "only 800 or so operational officers available at any one time to deal with traffic, drugs or anything else".
He said it was clear Sinn Fein "did not understand how to create a police service. Indeed, it almost makes you wonder if they actually wanted effective policing at all for that would be to challenge their control of their communities".
He welcomed the introduction of the 1998 Human Rights Act in Northern Ireland, which is being matched by the Human Rights Act due for implementation in the Republic next month. "The right to life, the right to peaceful enjoyment of property, the right to freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment are all core police values.
"But these values are not practised by the paramilitaries whose political leaders apparently know so much about human rights. Every night they smash the limbs and lives of their victims. They call it justice, but no one else with a shred of human decency does.
"You can well understand how insulting we find it for our life's work to be dismissed as failing in our human rights obligations."