The man charged with oversight of the North's police reforms has given a positive assessment of the pace of change.
In his ninth and final report before retirement at the end of this month, Mr Tom Constantine said progress on implementing the findings of the Patten Commission was excellent.
The former New York police chief reported that progress "is being achieved at a pace which many policing experts would not have thought possible in such a relatively short time".
Mr Constantine added: "Most recommendations have either been fully implemented or are sufficiently advanced so as to be completed in a reasonable period of time."
However, the report did point to ongoing areas of concern - many of which have been referred to in the Oversight Commissioner's earlier reports.
As has been the practice, criticism of insufficient action on outstanding issues is stepped up as time passes. Mr Constantine refers again to the condition of many of the North's police stations and the slow rate of progress on the establishment of a police college.
The Chief Constable, Mr Hugh Orde, has also admitted at public meetings of the Policing Board that many police stations are not up to standard and remain fortified, thus hindering public access.
The report also returns to the restructuring of Special Branch, a sensitive issue which has a direct impact on public confidence. It claims that the commissioner has now received a detailed restructuring plan which "although not yet fully evaluated, appears to be well thought out and represents a good first step in implementing the intent of the Patten Commission".
The commissioner's office concedes that some of the remaining areas of concern could be hampered by factors beyond the control of individual policing institutions. The continuation of paramilitary beatings and shootings is having "a negative impact on the effective implementation of the policing with the community ethos".
In a personal note, Mr Constantine denies his oversight role was far from the poison chalice many forecast it would be in 2001 when he took up his post.
"Rather, I was provided with an opportunity to be a part, no matter how small, of a peace process that is being watched closely by the entire world," he said.
Mr Constantine will be replaced by Mr Al Hutchinson, his chief of staff, and a former Assistant Commissioner with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.