Maintaining law and order in Northern Ireland

Abstract

The Good Friday Agreement reached earlier this year and endorsed by the majority both north and south of the border in Ireland has put new light on the situation in Northern Ireland. Here, the Chief Constable of the RUC, Ronnie Flanagan, gives an outline of his view on the situation and, in particular what he sees as his and his officers’ task in the coming months and years. He argues that, as the policing of the province has a profound impact on everyone's lives, it is too important to leave to the police alone to tackle the problems they face. He urges all parts of the communities in Northern Ireland to take part and work with the RUC as much as possible. This will benefit all, whichever community they belong to. He is aware that changes are needed, in particular of the ethnic and gender composition of the Constabulary, but believes strongly that the attitudes of the police officers and their treatment of the different communities they serve should be fair and equal. Although it might prove to be a lengthy process to arrive at such a position, he hopes that one day it will not be an issue which gender or which community an officer comes from as long as he or she does a good job.