Reid confirms date of RUC name change

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Dr John Reid has confirmed that the name of the Royal Ulster Constabulary will change on Sunday November 4 to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

The powers of the new Policing Board, who have responsibility for the new police service and the Chief Constable, will also commence on that date.

It is also planned that the 308 new recruits, who are part of a 50-50 catholic-protestant recruitment drive, will begin training on the same day.

Announcing the name change on Tuesday October 16, Dr Reid said: “This is a significant moment for all who have served in, or been associated with, the RUC and for all of us who have benefited from their service. The transformation of policing is of huge magnitude, and it will obviously take considerable time for all the changes to work through. But this step represents a very important stage in that process.

“I have asked the Chief Constable to prepare for a name change on November 4. This will mean that the Policing Board will, as the Police Act envisages, be the Board for the new service. It also meets the Government’s commitment, made as long ago as 19 January 2000, to keep faith with the new recruits by bringing into force a new title when the recruits arrive in training.”

As recommended by Patten in his police reform report in 1998, police memorials will remain as they are and where they are. In addition the new police title will incorporate an RUC reference.

The Secretary explained that it would take some time from 4 November to change all references to the name on stations, the 1,000 or so police forms and leaflets but work will be taken forward as quickly as possible.

Regulations on the emblem and flag of the new police service will be put to the Board and other statutory consultees when they meet in the week following November 4.

RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan said although the announcement came as no surprise he was “sad to see the proud title of the Royal Ulster Constabulary being changed” but added that the new Police Service of Northern Ireland would still deliver the same dedicated and courageous service as before.

However, Acting Chairman of the Police Federation of Northern Ireland, Jimmy Spratt, said that the Federation was surprised that the name of the Force was changing in advance of a meeting of the Policing Board and that it was being done without any consultation. He said: “This does not augur well for the ability of the Policing Board to avoid politics and to concentrate on its need to provide direction to a totally accountable police service.” (AMcE)