Complaints against Northern Ireland's police service rose to more than 3,100 last year, it was revealed today.
The 8 per cent increase was disclosed in Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan's annual report. She also expressed concerns over next year's hand-over of national security issues from the force to MI5.
And she confirmed the British government has asked her office to deal with any serious allegations against the Immigration Service and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.
Mrs O'Loan's management team is now holding discussions with both authorities on how the new proposals will work out.
As her powers were widened, legislation is also being brought in to make certain types of civilian officers accountable to the police complaints system.
Details emerged in the fifth annual report since the Ombudsman's Office was set up as part of the sweeping reforms to Northern Ireland's police service since the Good Friday Agreement.
Most of the complaints (47 per cent) made against the force last year came from Protestants, while 35 per cent were from Catholics and 18 per cent identified themselves with neither religion.
Nearly 170 cases were referred to the Public Prosecution Service, with Mrs O'Loan recommending no charges against the officers involved in the vast majority. But in five cases of complaint a total of nine prosecutions were recommended against nine officers.
In 66 cases the Police Ombudsman said disciplinary action should follow. Fred Cobain, an Ulster Unionist representative on the Northern Ireland Policing Board, backed the level of complaints.
He said: "This is the way to do things. The Police Ombudsman is part of the criminal justice system and if police officers are acting outside the law they should be investigated.
"It makes them more accountable and also offers them more protection." Mrs O'Loan also insisted the new national security arrangements would be improved by laws guaranteeing her investigators are not thwarted.
She is understood to have accepted the transfer, and sources stressed that MI5 has not yet refused a request from her office.
But amid continued concerns, Mrs O'Loan said: "It is vitally important that the police complaints system has the ability to access all relevant information and intelligence matters when investigating a complaint from the public.
"We are currently in discussion with the Security Services, who have no obligation to disclose material to us, and are attempting to reach an agreement which would facilitate our access to material.
"Of course it would be better if there was legislation which compelled the Security Services to disclose the information."
PA