In the conflict between Catholic Nationalists and Protestant Loyalists in Northern Ireland the security forces have played and continue to play a controversial and crucial role. Hailed by Loyalists as defenders of Ulster, condemned by Nationalists for their biased, sectarian practices, the police forces were often not mediators between both sides but combatants in the ‘Troubles’ who fueled the conflict. This paper intends to look at the history of policing in Northern Ireland from 1920 to 2001, focusing on the early years in order to show a path-dependency of the ‘Troubles’. It will substantiate that the conflict between the police forces and the population during the ‘Troubles’, beginning in 1968, was not a singular, isolated event that can be examined without its historical context. But rather, the seed of this conflict had been planted fifty years prior, when Northern Ireland’s police forces were established.
Chapter 3 looks at the public perception surrounding policing and will examine the differences and similarities of opinion between Catholics and Protestants. Chapter 4 deals with the internal problems facing policing. Furthermore, it will question Seamus Mallon’s, a former deputy leader of the SDLP and Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister from 1998 to 2001, statement that the RUC was “97% Protestant and 100% unionist” (Royal Ulster Constabulary 2006).
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Policing in Northern Ireland
- Ulster Special Constabulary
- Royal Ulster Constabulary
- Police-Community Relations
- Problems within the Police Forces
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the history of policing in Northern Ireland from 1920 to 2001, focusing on the early years to demonstrate path dependency in the "Troubles." It argues that the conflict between the police and the population wasn't an isolated event but rather rooted in the establishment of Northern Ireland's police forces fifty years prior. The paper analyzes the public perception of policing, comparing Catholic and Protestant viewpoints, and explores internal problems within the police forces.
- The historical development of policing in Northern Ireland
- The sectarian nature of the police forces
- The relationship between the police and the Catholic and Protestant communities
- Internal problems within the police forces
- The role of the police in fueling the conflict
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by highlighting the controversial and crucial role played by the security forces in the conflict between Catholic Nationalists and Protestant Loyalists in Northern Ireland. It establishes the paper's objective to examine the history of policing from 1920 to 2001, emphasizing the early years to illustrate the path dependency of the "Troubles." The chapter asserts that the conflict between the police and the population wasn't a singular event but rather a consequence of the historical context in which the police forces were established. It previews the focus of subsequent chapters, including public perception and internal problems within the police forces, and introduces Seamus Mallon's statement regarding the RUC's religious composition.
Policing in Northern Ireland: This chapter delves into the history of policing in Northern Ireland, focusing on two key organizations: the Ulster Special Constabulary (USC) and the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). It discusses the USC's creation in 1920 as an armed auxiliary force for the RIC, noting an unfulfilled agreement aiming for balanced Catholic and Protestant representation. The chapter highlights the USC's sectarian nature due to its recruitment from groups like the UVF and Orange Order. It explains the different categories of USC officers (A, B, and C Specials), detailing their roles, responsibilities, and effectiveness in counterinsurgency operations. The chapter further traces the USC's evolution and its eventual disbandment in 1970. The chapter then transitions to the establishment of the RUC in 1922, detailing its origins, structure, and its dual role in ordinary crime and internal security, ultimately presenting it more as a militia than a police force, given that protection of citizens was secondary to combating Nationalist insurrection. Finally, the chapter points out the contrasting relationships between the RUC and the Protestant and Catholic communities.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Northern Ireland, policing, Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), Ulster Special Constabulary (USC), "Troubles," sectarianism, police-community relations, path dependency, paramilitary, internal security, Catholic Nationalists, Protestant Loyalists.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview on Policing in Northern Ireland
What is the main topic of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of policing in Northern Ireland from 1920 to 2001. It examines the historical development of the police forces, their relationship with the Catholic and Protestant communities, and the internal problems within the police forces. The document argues that the conflict between the police and the population was rooted in the establishment of the police forces in the early years of Northern Ireland.
What are the key themes explored in this document?
The key themes include the historical development of policing in Northern Ireland, the sectarian nature of the police forces (particularly the Ulster Special Constabulary and the Royal Ulster Constabulary), police-community relations (with a focus on the differing experiences of Catholics and Protestants), internal problems within the police forces, and the role of the police in the "Troubles."
Which police forces are discussed in detail?
The document focuses primarily on the Ulster Special Constabulary (USC) and the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). It details their origins, structures, roles, and their relationships with the different communities in Northern Ireland.
What is the significance of the early years of policing in Northern Ireland?
The document emphasizes the importance of the early years (1920s and beyond) in understanding the later conflict ("Troubles"). It argues that the way the police forces were established created a path dependency that significantly influenced the nature of the conflict.
How does the document analyze the relationship between the police and the community?
The document analyzes the relationship between the police and both the Catholic and Protestant communities, highlighting the very different experiences and perspectives of each. It explores how this relationship contributed to and was affected by the conflict.
What internal problems within the police forces are discussed?
The document explores the internal problems within the police forces, although specific details are not provided in the preview. However, the implication is that the internal issues contributed to the overall problems of policing in Northern Ireland.
What is the overall argument of this document?
The document argues that the conflict between the police and the population in Northern Ireland wasn't an isolated event, but rather a direct consequence of the historical context and the way in which the police forces were established and operated in the early years of Northern Ireland's existence. The sectarian nature of recruitment and operation is highlighted as a major factor.
What are the key chapters covered in the document?
The document includes an introduction, chapters on policing in Northern Ireland (specifically the USC and RUC), police-community relations, problems within the police forces, and a conclusion. Each chapter is briefly summarized.
What are the keywords associated with this document?
Keywords include Northern Ireland, policing, Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), Ulster Special Constabulary (USC), "Troubles," sectarianism, police-community relations, path dependency, paramilitary, internal security, Catholic Nationalists, and Protestant Loyalists.
- Citation du texte
- Johannes Steffens (Auteur), 2006, The police forces of Northern Ireland - history, perception and problems, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/63797
