Delays to some key policing reforms laid down by the Patten Commission are hampering development of the new Police Service of Northern Ireland, a report out today has found.
The policing Oversight Commissioner has warned that failure so far to name a site for a £100 million police training college, the rise of criminal gangs to replace paramilitaries, a lack of clarity surrounding the devolution of power to district level and problems associated with civilian recruitment all stand in the way of Mr Chris Patten's 175 recommendations.
On balance, the report drawn up by the office of Mr Tom Constantine, a former New York state chief police officer, is positive.
However, his report, which has mapped progress on implementation of Patten's reforms until December last year, says some delays have been needless.
Mr Constantine writes: "Progress on the college is widely regarded as crucial," but adds: "2007 is given as the target date for completion of a new college; however, the search for an appropriate building site has only just begun. It is critical that this issue is progressed as soon as possible."
Mr Constantine, who heads an international force of scrutineers, also claims that recruitment of civilian staff to free officers from desk-bound duties is proceeding too slowly.
The Chief Constable, Mr Hugh Orde, faces staff shortages due to the severance package offered officers under the former RUC and the demands of ongoing paramilitary activity and interface violence last summer.
The report claims that appointments of managers who could ease the administrative load have still not been appointed.
On the question of the growth of organised crime, it also claims: "The criminal organisations that control the traffic in illegal drugs, carry out contract executions and extort the legitimate business community are contributing to a perception by some of lawlessness that is beyond the control of government."
A former assistant chief constable, Mr Alan McQuillan, now heads the Assets Recovery Agency - the Northern equivalent of the CAB - and is targeting up to 80 criminal gangs.
Mr Constantine praised the reform of the police intelligence service and the progress made on reform of Special Branch as outlined in another report last year compiled by Mr Dan Crompton from HMIC, the British police watchdog.
He also mentioned progress on the establishment of a human rights ethic and on drives to establish community policing. The bodies which run and monitor the PSNI, the Policing Board and the Policing Ombudsman, also come in for praise, as do the new District Policing Partnerships.
Mr Constantine calls for wider community support for the new police service and, indirectly, on Sinn Féin to take its places on the Policing Board.
"The support of the entire community for the Policing Board will be critical to the long-term safety and security of the citizens of Northern Ireland," he writes.