Policing and Combating Terrorism in Northern Ireland

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Neil Southern

   Pages 1-8

3. The Challenges of Policing in a Deeply Divided Society

   • Neil Southern

   Pages 9-44

4. The On-Duty Threat

   • Neil Southern

   Pages 45-73

5. The Off-Duty Threat

   • Neil Southern

   Pages 75-103

6. The Impact of Terrorism on Officers’ Families

   • Neil Southern

   Pages 105-141

7. The Experiences of Injured Officers

   • Neil Southern

   Pages 143-190

8. Women Officers and the Conflict

   • Neil Southern

   Pages 191-224

9. The Experience of Victimhood

   • Neil Southern

   Pages 225-268

10. Conclusion

    • Neil Southern

    Pages 269-281

11. Back Matter

    Pages 283-304

    PDF

This book explores the challenges of combating terrorism from a policing perspective using the example of the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC (RUC) in Northern Ireland. The RUC was in the frontline of counter-terrorism work for thirty years of conflict during which time it also provided a normal policing service to the public. However, combating a protracted and vicious terrorist campaign exacted a heaving price on the force. Importantly, the book addresses a seriously under-researched theme in terrorism studies, namely, the impact of terrorism on members of the security forces. Accordingly, the book examines how officers have been affected by the conflict as terrorists adopted a strategy which targeted them both on and off duty. This resulted in a high percentage of officers being killed whilst off duty - sometimes in the company of their wives and children. The experience of officers' wives is also documented thus highlighting the familial impact of terrorism. Generally speaking, the victims of terrorist attacks have received scant scholarly attention which has resulted in victims' experiences being little understood. This piece of work casts a specific and unique light on the nature of victimhood as it has been experienced by members of this branch of the security forces in Northern Ireland.

• Northern Ireland
• Terrorism
• Policing
• Royal Ulster Constabulary
• Northern Irish Conflict
• Police Officers
• Families of police officers
• terrorist organisations
• state terror
• terrorism studies
• Britain
• British Government
• counter-radicalisation
• Prevent
• IRA
• Good Friday Agreement
• Northern Ireland Retired Police Officers Association
• Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Widows Association
• British Politics

“This book will undoubtedly be of interest to several audiences, from those wishing to study the subject of terrorism from an alternative perspective, those interestered in the wellbeing aspect of police officers, to those studying victimology. The text will also be valuable to practioners in the field of counter terrorism who can learn from first hand experiences and develop effective support initiatives for the policing family in the future.” (Nichola E. J. Rew, Terrorism and Political Violence, Vol. 30 (2), 2019)

“It is a ground-breaking text in relation to policing in Northern Ireland; particularly since it is written through the lens of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), focusing on the most recent Troubles that commenced in 1968, ending with the 1998 Good Friday Agreement (GFA). … . Highly recommended to members of the PHS.” (Peter Williams, Police History Society Newsletter, Issue 98, March, 2019)​

• Department of Psychology, Sociology and Politics, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom

  Neil Southern

Neil Southern is a Senior Lecturer in Politics in the Department of Psychology, Sociology and Politics at Sheffield Hallam University, UK. A recipient of the Lemberger-Mettrick Prize for Politics from The Queen's University of Belfast, he has also published academic articles in leading international journals on the theme of ethnic conflict.

Policies and ethics