Police representatives in Northern Ireland today condemned out at Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan's survey of lawyers' complaints against officers.
Fifty-five solicitors and barristers complained of having problems with police during 2001 and 2002, though the vast majority of the legal profession said they had no difficulties with officers, according to a new report for Mrs O'Loan.
But the federation - which represents up to 9,000 officers - said it was dismayed allegations made had been used to criticise the force.
"It is nothing more than an expensive publicity stunt," claimed the Police Federation.
Earlier Mrs O'Loan said she had been aware of previous allegations of intimidation and harassment of lawyers and had commissioned the survey to establish if the problem was common.
Ms O'Loan said: "The numbers and types of allegations reported in this survey do not paint a picture of widespread mistreatment of lawyers by police officers".
But she added: "The allegations which were made must be a matter of concern".
During the two years, 2,834 solicitors and barristers were surveyed and of the 1,458 who responded, 96.2 per cent indicated they had no problems.
However, 55 claimed they had experienced difficulties and said the alleged behaviour was either directed at them personally or through a client.
They included claims of physical threats or threats of arrest, accusations that solicitors were members of terrorist organisations, threats that personal details would be passed on to terrorists, defamation of character, sectarian abuse and unprofessional conduct during interviews with clients.
However, the great majority of the complaints were made before her office was established.
Most of those who alleged misconduct did not complain about it with many claiming the police would do nothing.
Last month the Chief Constable Hugh Orde announced a code of conduct for his officers requiring them to discharge their duties with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality.
Ms O'Loan said: "Such principles, if adhered to, will ensure that the problems uncovered by this survey become a thing of the past".
PA