The Progressive Unionist Party, the political wing of the Ulster Volunteer Force, has told the Independent Commission on Policing that it accepts there is need for reform of the RUC "in the changing climate" but stressed that there should be "no change for change's sake".
A party representative, Mr William Smith, said the RUC had constantly been used as either a political instrument or a political football but accepted that it was not without fault.
"Over the years, some of the allegations levelled against the RUC by nationalists were echoed within many working-class loyalist communities," he said.
The party dismissed proposals for regionalisation of the force as "unfounded".
PUP representatives stressed the need for an improvement in relations between the police and the communities. They encouraged officers to be "more user-friendly". Mr William Mitchell urged RUC officers to be more approachable and to improve their interpersonal skills.
"They can't be approachable at 50 m.p.h. in a Land Rover," he added.
Mr Chris Patten, chairman of the commission, asked how it would be possible to attract a greater number of recruits from working-class communities. Mr Smith said it was up to community leaders and activists to encourage those from within these communities to join up.
The PUP said no rash decisions should be made on a cut in numbers of the force. "There are still many dangers within our country, still many hurdles to overcome. We are presently in a transitional period," Mr Smith said.
Commenting on the wider legal environment, the party called for an end to Diplock courts, a return to the jury system and the removal of emergency legislation.
Mr Wilson said the force should encourage community-based justice programmes such as the Greater Shankill Alternatives in west Belfast. However, he said those programmes were not an attempt to replace the police force.