NCJ Number
137570
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 32 Issue: 2 Dated: (Spring 1992) Pages: 183-192
Date Published
1992
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The first comprehensive empirical study of the views of members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) focuses on the variations in attitude existing within the part-time sector and the influences affecting them. The research highlights the dilemmas confronting the RUC as it seeks to broaden its acceptability to the entire Northern Ireland community.
Abstract
The research findings demonstrated that the Protestant nature of the part-time RUC has resulted in an organization that closely reflects the values and attitudes supported by the larger Protestant community. There seems to be some conflict within the part-time force between those who hold traditional and more modern views. The part-time border police in particular tend to be strongly British, to view society as being divided along religious lines of national identity, to have a close affiliation with their church, and to have more authoritarian views on social issues. Younger officers and officers who serve in outlying areas tend to be more receptive to the concept of increased cross- community contact and less influenced by traditional values. Catholic part-time members of the RUC are almost exclusively male and centered in the Belfast area. Their age profile and length of service are reflective of the part-time RUC as a whole. On social issues, Catholic members seem to deviate from the views of the wider Catholic community and to align themselves with the prevailing occupational perspective of the part-time RUC. 11 tables and 10 references