Policing Northern Ireland

This book explores 25 years of policing in Northern Ireland in the context of conflict and change.

In doing so, it provides a comprehensive narrative of the transition from the Royal Ulster Constabulary to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). By tracing each phase of organisational development, the work considers the impact of political progress and stagnation, the effect of repeated crises, the role of leadership, and legacy and the challenges of ordinary policing in an extraordinary environment. Just as politics impacts policing, policing has impacted the political trajectory of Northern Ireland. This book captures that symbiotic relationship by weaving first-hand accounts with scholarly analysis, providing new insights into the challenges, processes, and methods of policing change. Arguing that the PSNI has overcome foundational obstacles and built significant legitimacy, it nevertheless recognises that, beneath the surface, the past is still a potent cultural force in the present.

This is a “must read” for all those engaged in policing, the development of criminal justice in transitional settings, and Northern Irish history.