The Police Ombudsman has urged the military to consider the findings of a report which identified communication and co-ordination problems between police and military units dealing with public disorder in north Belfast in 2002.
Serious rioting flared during a police search in the Mount Vernon area of north Belfast on the evening of 11 September 2002. Police came under attack with bricks, bottles, petrol bombs and paint bombs and requested military assistance to deal with a rapidly worsening situation.
However, the police later asked the military units to withdraw, believing their presence to be exacerbating the disorder.
The Police Ombudsman's report found that military units repeatedly failed to react to these requests.
While acknowledging that her remit did not extend to the military, the Police Ombudsman Mrs Nuala O'Loan said she had decided to draw the military's attention to the incident in the public interest.
Police Ombudsman asked military to consider the difficulties faced by police as a result of their failure to withdraw.
"Although I have no statutory power to make recommendations to the military, I have decided that it is in the public interest for me to recommend that the military consider the difficulties faced by police as a consequence of this apparent failure by the military to withdraw, and also that action is taken to ensure that such events do not recur," said Mrs O'Loan.
More than 200 people were reported to have been involved in the rioting at its height, and police discharged a total of seven baton rounds. One police officer received hospital treatment for an eye injury.
A police Land Rover was completely disabled when a large piece of masonry was dropped on its engine bay from a block of flats and police reported that a number of other Land Rovers had sustained damage which limited their mobility.
Of seven baton rounds fired, four hit their targets.
Police baton gunners reported that of the seven baton rounds discharged during the disorder, four had struck their targets.
Having assessed the evidence, Mrs O'Loan concluded that the use of baton rounds during the incident was proportionate, within legislation and guidelines, necessary to prevent serious injury and in accordance with force instructions and training.
No criminal or misconduct matters were identified against any police officers in relation to the incident.
Mrs O'Loan noted, however, that her investigation had been significantly hampered; firstly by the receipt of incorrect documentation from the police, and then by a delay in the submission of the correct documentation. This was finally resolved by a report to the District Command Unit Commander who ensured that all relevant information was supplied to the Police Ombudsman's Investigating Officer.
The Police Ombudsman also recommended that PSNI force orders should be amended to require the deployment of baton gun assistants on all occasions when baton rounds are used.