A memorial window in tribute to the RUC was unveiled last night at Belfast City Hall. The Lord Mayor, Mr David Alderdice, opened proceedings by commending the "sterling service" given by the RUC to Belfast over almost 80 years.
The RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, joined the Lord Mayor on the podium beneath the stained-glass emblem of the RUC and told the crowd: "I stand before you this evening experiencing a range of emotions".
He said he felt a deep sense of pride at the service given by all RUC personnel. "We particularly remember those officers who have given their lives in service and all those officers that were so cruelly injured in providing the policing service to all our people."
The Chief Constable said those now in service were determined to follow the example which those officers had given and would continue to provide the highest quality of service.
The Lord Mayor's chaplain, the Rev Ruth Patterson, consecrated the window and read a prayer. The North's Security Minister, Mr Adam Ingram, attended, as did many of the city's 51 councillors.
Two city councillors, Mr Reg Empey and Mr Michael McGimpsey, of the Ulster Unionist Party, attended, as did Mr Nigel Dodds, of the Democratic Unionist Party, and Mr Billy Hutchinson, of the Progressive Unionist Party.
The First Minister, Mr David Trimble, was unable to be present. However, his wife, Daphne, was among the 100 invited guests.