NCJ Number
66677
Journal
Police Magazine Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: (MAY 1980) Pages: 22-32
Date Published
1980
Length
11 pages
Annotation
ROUTINE PRACTICES AND WORKING CONDITIONS OF THE ROYAL ULSTER CONSTABULARY (RUC), NORTHERN IRELAND'S ONLY POLICE FORCE AND PRIMARY DEFENSE AGAINST EVER PRESENT TERRORIST ACTIVITY, ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
AFTER 11 YEARS OF RIOT, BEATINGS, SHOOTINGS, AND BOMBINGS INVOLVING CIVILIAN PARAMILITARY GROUPS, THE RUC, THE BRITISH ARMY, AND A HOST OF ORDINARY CITIZENS CAUGHT IN THE VIOLENCE, THE TOLL AT THE END OF 1979 WAS ALMOST 2,000 DEAD, MORE THAN 20,000 INJURED, SOME 2,000 IMPRISONED FOR TERRORIST-RELATED CRIMES, AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF RAVAGED HOMES, SHOPS, PUBS, AND OTHER BUILDINGS. TRADITION IDENTIFIES THE POLICE WITH THE PROTESTANT POWER STRUCTURE, AND IN RECENT YEARS CATHOLIC TERRORISM HAS FAR OUTWEIGHED THAT OF THE OPPOSING FACTION, BECOMING EVER MORE SOPHISTICATED IN ITS FOCUS ON THE POLICE, SOLDIERS, AND PRISON GUARDS. SINCE 1976 THE RUC HAS BEEN PRIMARILY MANNED BY INDIGENOUS NORTHERN IRISHMEN AND CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR BOTH ANTITERRORIST CONTROL AND ORDINARY POLICE WORK, WHILE BRITISH SOLDIERS PROVIDE ONLY TECHNICAL AND TACTICAL SUPPORT. THUS, THE RUC OFFICERS FACE A DILEMMA OF PROVIDING BOTH POLICE AND MILITARY SERVICES, OF BEING THE COPS ON THE BEAT AS WELL AS AN ARMORED, MOBILE STRIKE FORCE. THEY MUST SERVE THE COMMUNITY WHILE STALKING THE INSURGENTS WHO LIVE WITHIN IT. TO MEET THE CHALLENGE, THE RUC HAS BEEN EXPANDED, TO 7,000 REGULAR OFFICERS AND 4,500 RESERVISTS, SKILLED IN BOTH OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE TACTICS. ELECTRONIC AND VISUAL SURVEILLANCE CAPABILITIES HAVE BEEN IMPROVED AND TACTICS DEVELOPED FOR MOBILITY AND THE SURPRISE ELEMENT. SPECIAL PATROL GROUPS MONITOR 'HARD' AREAS, SERVE ON EMERGENCY SECURITY DUTY, AND 'FLOOD' AREAS IN RESPONSE TO TERRORIST ATTACK. DETECTIVE AND INTERROGATION WORK IS LIKEWISE DONE BY SPECIALLY TRAINED SQUADS OPERATING EXCLUSIVELY AGAINST TERRORIST ATTACK. SPECIAL RUC POWERS INCLUDE ARRESTING ANYONE SUSPECTED OF TERRORISM AND HOLDING SUSPECTS WITHOUT CHARGE FOR UP TO 7 DAYS. ILLUSTRATIONS ARE PROVIDED. (MRK)