The RUC is going to be hurt by the "potential loss" of its name and emblem, the chairman of the Northern Ireland Police Federation said last night after the federation's first meeting with the Taoiseach.
Mr Les Rogers said he felt "terribly sad that the police who are answerable only to the rule of law should be centre stage in the future of Northern Ireland.
"The fact that we have become a political football for both sides grieves and angers me and my colleagues," Mr Rogers told a reception hosted by Lord Cranborne, a former Tory leader in the House of Lords and an active unionist supporter, in Buswell's Hotel, Dublin.
Mr Rogers was accompanied to Dublin by representatives of the RUC Widows Association and the RUC Disabled Officers Association. During their visit, they met newspaper editors, political leaders and the President, Mrs McAleese.
"Some of the things the government is doing to the RUC, the potential loss of the name and emblem are going to hurt us," Mr Rogers told the reception. "But what will hurt us more is to make this sacrifice for no reward within the wider community. If the RUC policed the troubles, it deserves to police the peace".
Mr Rogers said the new Police Bill would formally enshrine co-operation with the Garda, whom he described as the RUC's "professional friends". He said the RUC had neither enough women nor Catholics. Increasing the participation of women was being addressed through education and better presentation of the force to women. "The under-representation of Catholics has its origins and its remedy in our security and political problems," Mr Rogers said. "Terrorist intimidation and hostility have been the major discouraging factors to Catholics joining the police." The RUC could also encourage greater Catholic participation by "continuing to evolve into a modern, inclusive police service determined to be representative of the diversity of our community". He said support for the RUC from politicians on both sides of the Border needed to be vocal.
"Silence on your part will play into the hands of the wreckers in our community who want no policing at all and who nightly shatter limbs and lives with their beatings in order to control their territories."
What the force ultimately wanted was an end to violence. "Our heartfelt and legitimate concern to hold on to our name and emblem should not obscure the fact that my members share with everyone else the desire for a permanent peace."
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said he wanted to "acknowledge and respect the professionalism and effectiveness of many RUC officers in a most difficult political and security situation, including the excellent co-operation with the Garda Siochana, to whose own sacrifices we are also deeply indebted".
He said that while it was not "the time or the place" to discuss details of the Patten Commission's proposals he hoped "we can all share the vision of a police service which is accepted and welcomed in every corner of Northern Ireland".
Lord Cranborne said the delegation's reception in Dublin had "warmed our hearts and bodes well at this critical juncture".
