Sir, - It is regrettable that some politicians have raised a storm over the proposed changes to the RUC's name and insignia and to the flying of the Union Flag at police stations.
Queen Victoria granted the title "Royal" to The Irish Constabulary in 1867 in recognition of its role in suppressing the Fenian uprising. At the same time she decreed that the harp and crown insignia was to be worn. In 1922, the newly established RUC inherited the "Royal" title, the insignia and the ethos of the RIC. While open to correction, I believe the RUC to be the only "Royal" police force in the UK. In 1982, a booklet published for the RUC's diamond jubilee lists the other "Royal" police forces as those of the Bahamas, Malaysia, Fiji, the Virgin Islands, Grenada, Antigua, Hong Kong, Barbados, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Turks and Caicos Island, St Lucia, Monserrat, and Canadian Mounted. No doubt some of these forces have had name changes since then.
Given the circumstances of the title "Royal" and its colonial connotations, it would seem sensible to change the RUC's name and insignia, particularly in the context of a transition from a paramilitary anti-terrorist force to an unarmed community force.
I am not aware that the Union Flag is normally flown at police stations throughout Britain. In Northern Ireland national flags are used extensively to make local political and religious gestures. The true symbolism of a flag is thereby devalued. It is sad to see the Union Flag flown from church towers around July 12th. The practice may do something for political Protestantism but it does little for Christianity - ignoring, as it does, the fact that Christ crossed the political/ethnic divide of his day to engage in dialogue with the Samaritans. If the police are to serve both communities transparently, the Patten proposals on flags should be implemented.
Gary McMichael is right in saying that the RUC should be consulted. Indeed, its members should be offered a generous implementation package. While they may find a name change a little more painful than hundreds of thousands of workers in newly privatised industries have done, a financial package would ease that pain considerably.
I make these comments as one whose late father was an RIC/RUC officer, once severely wounded in the course of duty. - Yours, etc.,
John Sharkey, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14.