The Church of Ireland
Press Release

Archbishop Robin Eames was the special preacher today at A Thanksgiving Commemoration for the Service of the RUC in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast.

Archbishop Eames said: “ The history of the Royal Ulster Constabulary is much more than the story of policing this community since 1922. It is a cameo of the life and attitudes of Northern Ireland.

“Often when we have passed judgement on the RUC this community was passing judgement on itself. Criticism of the RUC was often criticism of the sort of society we had allowed to develop. When we placed the RUC between warring factions we were asking its members to solve problems we had created.

“When society condemned the police we were saying something about our sectarianism. When society was shocked by the death of a policeman or woman how often did it ask itself about responsibility?

“No police force in Western Europe has been asked to pay such a price in lives lost or members disabled in the service of the community. Since 1969 some 302 members of the RUC have been killed and over 8,300 officers have been injured. What a commentary on the sort of society they sought to protect.

“Society will never know how many lives were saved by the RUC over the years.

“Today a new generation of policemen and women have begun their training. No one knows the sort of society they will police in the days ahead. Like many here this afternoon they have their vision and their dreams for the future. Will they have to protect a new generation from terrorism or will they serve a society where the only enemy is that which challenges the law?

“I look forward to the day when every section of this society can have a feeling of ownership for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, when each part of our society can encourage membership of the PSNI. When that time comes the standard of the service offered by the police will be the poorer if the sacrifice of the RUC is ever forgotten.”

The Service today was attended by serving members of the PSNI and representatives of a number of groups including the RUC Widows’ Association, the Superintendents’ Association, the Disabled Police Officers’ Association and the Northern Ireland Policing Board.