New measures to ensure that the RUC is more accountable were formally introduced yesterday by the Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam.
Under the terms of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act, the lengthy 19th century oath which included a declaration of allegiance to "our Sovereign Lady the Queen . . . without favour or affection, malice or ill will" has been replaced with: "I hereby do solemnly and sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of constable".
The wording change brings the RUC's oath broadly in line with that expressed in Scotland and was recommended by the Police Authority for Northern Ireland to "reform and modernise" the language used.
The Act also introduces police planning measures to "improve accountability . . . and make the policing of Northern Ireland more efficient, more effective and more accountable", Dr Mowlam said.
She continued: "One of the main underlying purposes of this Act is to improve links between the police and local communities. As part of achieving that aim, the government has strengthened the authority's community and consultation role, and afforded each district council the right to ask questions of the Police Authority about the discharge of its functions."
The police planning measures will preserve the independence of the chief constable and maintain the principle that politicians cannot instruct him as to how to deal with individual cases. However, the Act ensures that politicians and community representatives can set a broad framework within which policing is conducted. Performance targets will be set each year and an independent police ombudsman is to be appointed. The post will be advertised later this month.