Three-year plan to reduce RUC

Plan reveals timetable to implement Patten proposals

A deadline of three years has been set for the reduction of the Royal Ulster Constabulary to 7,500 officers, according to a document obtained by the BBC.

The yet to be published plan sets out the government's approach to implementing the Patten commission proposals on policing.

It spells out in some detail a timetable for introducing many of the 175 recommendations contained in the report, prepared by the former Hong Kong governor, Chris Patten.

The document, known as the "Implementation Plan", deals with each of the proposals and sets out a timetable for them to be put into effect.

Restructuring responsibility

It says whether or not they have been accepted and who has responsibility for bringing about the change.

For instance, the restructuring of the force is a matter which will be left to Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan.

It says the new force should not include a full-time reserve which currently comprises up to 3,000 officers.

The Patten report recommended that the Gaelic Athletic Association lift its ban against police officers and army personnel participating in gaelic games.

The controversial Rule 21 has been seen as a disincentive to nationalists from joining the force.

The plan recommends that this takes place as "quickly as possible as part of the process of creating a new beginning to policing in Northern Ireland".

Alex Maskey: 'Further evidence of Patten's dilution'

Another of the Patten recommendations has already been implemented. The Castlereagh Holding Centre in Belfast has been closed and there are plans also to close similar facilities in Armagh and Londonderry.

Sinn Fein assembly member Alex Maskey said the plan, which followed the publication the Policing Bill on Tuesday, was further evidence that the Patten proposals were being diluted.

"There's a complete distortion of many of the fundamental aspects of Patten in a way which I think will give no confidence to the people I represent or, indeed, anybody in the nationalist community."

It is understood that a commissioner to oversee planned changes to policing in Northern Ireland was to have been named later this week.

However, it is thought this will now be delayed until later this year.

The new police bill for the province was published at Westminster on Tuesday and leaves the final decision on the name of the new police service to the secretary of state.

The issue of changing the name of the Royal Ulster Constabulary has been threatening the government's plans to restore devolution to Northern Ireland by 22 May.