84.The Office of the Independent Assessor of Military Complaints Procedures came into existence in its current form under the EPA 1996. Lord Colville had recommended it in his review of the 1978 and 1987 Acts and the appointment is discretionary, looking forward to a time when the Army will no longer patrol in support of the RUC. The Independent Assessor’s role is to review procedures for the investigation of complaints about the army and to investigate any representations made to him about those procedures. While the Secretary of State has a power (rather than a duty) to appoint an Assessor, the Government has said that the position will remain while the Army is needed to act in support of the police in Northern Ireland. Further provision about the Assessor is made in Schedule 11, which this section activates.
Commentary Part Vii: Northern Ireland Section 98: Independent Assessor of Military Complaints Procedures