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Would you have joined the RUC?

  • 23-10-2008 4:52am
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 237 ✭✭


    The question is in the title. I'm just curious how the new political climate and police service has affected your view of the job itself. Would you have be just as eager to enlist in the RUC during the troubles? Would the distrust towards the old RUC from the RC community have affected your decision?

    Personally, I think the PSNI uniforms are much better. :D

    Just curious. :)


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,160 ✭✭✭TheNog


    I had to reply to this post. I hate the uniforms or rather the colour of the uniform. If they changed the colour I probably would have tried joining myself (even agaisnt the advice of my g/f). You see the colour doesn't go with my eyes :pac::pac:

    The change in the name was a good move as it gave the organisation the basis of a fresh start but I'm sure there was probably alot of shifting and changing of procedures too which were done in the background. The name change not only gave the officers a chance but also gave the Northern Irish people possibly a new outlook (along with the 50:50 rule) to break new ground towards an era of change. I'm sure that once the 50:50 rule was implemented the RUC/PSNI was seen by all to balance the divide between religions. Twas badly needed.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 254 ✭✭inspector71


    I'm not a fan of the new uniform as much, I thought the RUC one looked great!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 333 ✭✭lolli-j


    Personal experience has unfortunately taught me that rather than the RUC preventing particular community backgrounds from joining it was more other people of the same community background that caused the discouragment.

    Uniform wise, seriously those trouser flatter no one!! Even wee bums look huge!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,006 ✭✭✭PapaYankeeGirl


    lolli-j wrote: »
    Personal experience has unfortunately taught me that rather than the RUC preventing particular community backgrounds from joining it was more other people of the same community background that caused the discouragment.

    Uniform wise, seriously those trouser flatter no one!! Even wee bums look huge!!

    Oh jaysus my ass will look like the back end of a tangi in that case :o:(:mad::eek:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 524 ✭✭✭Penis Eye


    ill have an arse like a bag of gravy.

    seriously tho i would have applied to join the ruc because no matter how corrupt or non-represetitive the ruc was to the community I would still have my own integrity and standards. obviously so did a lot of the people in it as the psni is a great police service!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7 Uilleam


    I would liked to have had the courage to join the RUC, but to be honest, I simply did not.
    Like a lot of people from my end of things I felt that there would have been little hope of being selected because of where I lived and who my family are.
    I may be right or I may be wrong on that fact, but that is how it was with most of us. . . would have meant leaving home and not going back other than at our peril, so there you have it, a no. . . a lack of fortitude unfortunately.
    The terrorists / criminals were simply too strong, and I like my friends, lacked the courage.
    Now, however, the distasteful elements of our society, on both sides of the divide, have been seriously weakened by the peace process and we have a chance to make a difference within the community.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    not a chance


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 217 ✭✭Louisiana 1927


    That's a big yes from me. No questions.

    In fact i probably couldnt give a bigger yes in response to this thread even if i had a big yes making machine.

    R.U.C G.C:)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 120 ✭✭TangoVictor


    im gonna keep this short and sweet.
    Would I have joined the RUC?

    Not a hope in high hell!

    Im applying to join the Police and I will leave it at that.

    -TV


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,012 ✭✭✭MrsGeneHunt


    Yes. Did try when I was 18 but they told me I was too ickle and to come back when I was 21.

    But life had taken a different turn by then.( Long story)

    But, even if it was still the RUC today, and I was in the same position I am now then yes, I'd still be applying because I want to be a Police Officer. in Northern Ireland.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,013 ✭✭✭smyff


    negative, no chance, too young to apply, and if i even had the thought my da would beat me up. badddddddd choice


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4 KILO_BRAVO


    I find this thread disrespectful to all the RUC members who lost their lives in numerous atrocities throughout the troubles.

    I for one would like to ask why you feel you can join the PSNI and yet have little regard for the RUC? Many members of the PSNI were or worked along side colleagues of the RUC.

    Would I join the RUC - without a doubt. Would I join the PSNI - probably not - could I even if I wanted too?

    Politics is a wonderful thing...:confused:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 237 ✭✭MrFug


    KILO_BRAVO wrote: »
    I find this thread disrespectful to all the RUC members who lost their lives in numerous atrocities throughout the troubles.

    I for one would like to ask why you feel you can join the PSNI and yet have little regard for the RUC? Many members of the PSNI were or worked along side colleagues of the RUC.

    Would I join the RUC - without a doubt. Would I join the PSNI - probably not - could I even if I wanted too?

    Politics is a wonderful thing...:confused:

    Hold your fire. I dont think anyone who replied to this thread even considered that they may be offending anyone. I certainly didn't see the potential for offence in creating it.

    Things are different now. The political climate is different and the constitution of the force is different. There are many reasons why a person of any religious background would have joined one and not the other. Although there is a current threat to PSNI officers, things were a hell of a lot more dangerous for serving RUC officers. How is asking If someone would have accepted the risk faced by RUC officers offensive to them?

    To be honest, It seems that your looking for controvesy where there is none.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 241 ✭✭Chelsea555


    MrFug wrote: »
    Hold your fire. I dont think anyone who replied to this thread even considered that they may be offending anyone. I certainly didn't see the potential for offence in creating it.

    Things are different now. The political climate is different and the constitution of the force is different. There are many reasons why a person of any religious background would have joined one and not the other. Although there is a current threat to PSNI officers, things were a hell of a lot more dangerous for serving RUC officers. How is asking If someone would have accepted the risk faced by RUC officers offensive to them?

    To be honest, It seems that your looking for controvesy where there is none.

    I agree with ya Mr Fug;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4 KILO_BRAVO


    MrFug wrote: »
    Hold your fire. I dont think anyone who replied to this thread even considered that they may be offending anyone. I certainly didn't see the potential for offence in creating it.

    Things are different now. The political climate is different and the constitution of the force is different. There are many reasons why a person of any religious background would have joined one and not the other. Although there is a current threat to PSNI officers, things were a hell of a lot more dangerous for serving RUC officers. How is asking If someone would have accepted the risk faced by RUC officers offensive to them?

    To be honest, It seems that your looking for controvesy where there is none.

    Of course things are different now.....I am not looking for controvesy in any shape or form. Can I ask why you didn't join the RUC? Was it the uniform:D?

    I know many PSNI officers that did serve within the RUC and who still currently do the job with intergity and will continue to do the job.

    So.... if everyones outlook is that it was too dangerous to join the RUC should we not stand up and salute those guys & gals that did join the RUC and that done their time and risked their lives.

    I personally think that the RUC needs greater recognition and not silly threads as to 'would you have joined the RUC'..


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4 KILO_BRAVO


    Chelsea555 wrote: »
    I agree with ya Mr Fug;)[/quote

    Did you even take time to read the post - I should think probabaly not


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 241 ✭✭Chelsea555


    KILO_BRAVO wrote: »
    Chelsea555 wrote: »
    I agree with ya Mr Fug;)[/quote

    Did you even take time to read the post - I should think probabaly not


    As it happens i did take the time to even read the post KB but MrFug was merely giving reply to your good self and i was simply agreeing with his reply or are we not allowed opinions on the thread!!!!!;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,258 ✭✭✭carlty888


    Chelsea555 wrote: »


    As it happens i did take the time to even read the post KB but MrFug was merely giving reply to your good self and i was simply agreeing with his reply or are we not allowed opinions on the thread!!!!!;)

    Chelsea - Didn't you know that agreeing with an opinion different to KB's makes you a mindless sheep and a fool? :D:D:D

    Kilo_Bravo - it's one thing to voice an opinion, but to attempt to belittle someone because they have a different opinion isn't big or clever.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 254 ✭✭inspector71


    my dad was in the RUC for 30 years (right through the tough times), and I don't find anything offensive about this thread


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 241 ✭✭Chelsea555


    carlty888 wrote: »
    Chelsea - Didn't you know that agreeing with an opinion different to KB's makes you a mindless sheep and a fool? :D:D:D

    Kilo_Bravo - it's one thing to voice an opinion, but to attempt to belittle someone because they have a different opinion isn't big or clever.


    All im saying is that MrFug had a valid point and i agreed with it thats all man this thread is getting outta control;)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,160 ✭✭✭TheNog


    KILO_BRAVO wrote: »
    I find this thread disrespectful to all the RUC members who lost their lives in numerous atrocities throughout the troubles.

    I for one would like to ask why you feel you can join the PSNI and yet have little regard for the RUC? Many members of the PSNI were or worked along side colleagues of the RUC.

    Would I join the RUC - without a doubt. Would I join the PSNI - probably not - could I even if I wanted too?

    Politics is a wonderful thing...:confused:

    I don't think this thread is offensive nor is meant to be. True that RUC officers lost their lives and that is nothing to be sneezed at all. The RUC operated to the best of their ability in an extremely dangerous time both for the officers and their families. They policed the RC community where there was no support and with the constant threat from terrorist groups.

    I don't think there is anyone here that would say "overall the RUC did a bad job". There were some questions raised by methods used during the troubles, but hey show me a police force who hasn't faced controversy during its live time. At the end of the day its not all about the problems highlighted within a police force but its how that police force deals and overcomes those problems.

    I think this thread is trying to get at the different eras of people and political attitude towards the police force in Northern Ireland from back in the RUC era to the current PSNI era. Nothing more.
    KILO_BRAVO wrote: »
    Of course things are different now.....I am not looking for controvesy in any shape or form. Can I ask why you didn't join the RUC? Was it the uniform:D?

    I know many PSNI officers that did serve within the RUC and who still currently do the job with intergity and will continue to do the job.

    So.... if everyones outlook is that it was too dangerous to join the RUC should we not stand up and salute those guys & gals that did join the RUC and that done their time and risked their lives.

    I personally think that the RUC needs greater recognition and not silly threads as to 'would you have joined the RUC'..

    Should we salute the job of the RUC? - absolutely.

    Should we not talk about problems within the RUC? - absolutely not. If we don't talk about the problems in the past we cannot learn from the mistakes.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,013 ✭✭✭smyff


    KILO_BRAVO wrote: »
    I find this thread disrespectful to all the RUC members who lost their lives in numerous atrocities throughout the troubles.

    I for one would like to ask why you feel you can join the PSNI and yet have little regard for the RUC? Many members of the PSNI were or worked along side colleagues of the RUC.

    Would I join the RUC - without a doubt. Would I join the PSNI - probably not - could I even if I wanted too?

    Politics is a wonderful thing...:confused:

    youre a plonker tbh


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,160 ✭✭✭TheNog


    smyff wrote: »
    youre a plonker tbh


    Warning given. Kilo Bravo is entitled to his opinion as long as it stays within the Charter. Your post however does not.

    Be careful now


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 237 ✭✭MrFug


    KILO_BRAVO wrote: »
    Of course things are different now.....I am not looking for controvesy in any shape or form. Can I ask why you didn't join the RUC? Was it the uniform:D?

    I know many PSNI officers that did serve within the RUC and who still currently do the job with intergity and will continue to do the job.

    So.... if everyones outlook is that it was too dangerous to join the RUC should we not stand up and salute those guys & gals that did join the RUC and that done their time and risked their lives.

    I personally think that the RUC needs greater recognition and not silly threads as to 'would you have joined the RUC'..

    You've managed to read so much from the title of a thread. I don't see how asking if someone would have joined the RUC is somehow derisive or disrespectful, nor does anyone else it seems. If anyone is being disrespectful, its you.

    Of course the RUC deserve recognition. No-one is saying different, but this thread wasn't started for that purpose. It's purpose was to ask a valid question.

    No one can deny that joining the R.U.C was a much less inviting prospect for, particularly, young catholics than the PSNI is today. That's not to say that the RUC was at fault for this, nor is it absolving them of blame. That's just how things were. The RUC did a very difficult job in very difficult times and the officers invovled then have my utmost respect, but the force has changed and the country has changed. THAT's what the question was getting at. How the changes and process of 'moving forward' has changed peoples views on joining the police force. Just because I wouldn't have joined the RUC (incidentally It wasn't possible anyways) doesn't mean I hold any contempt for the RUC.

    I realise you think your defending the R.U.C by calling this thread 'silly', but your barking up the wrong tree mate... and being disrespectful.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 660 ✭✭✭JVB


    KILO_BRAVO wrote: »
    IWould I join the RUC - without a doubt. Would I join the PSNI - probably not - could I even if I wanted too?

    Politics is a wonderful thing...:confused:

    ... so is respect for diversity. So joining the RUC is a big thumbs up from you, but the PSNI is doubtful. I don't understand how you can criticise this thread and then openly say you wouldn't join the PSNI yourself?!? Is that not the same as someone else saying the RUC wouldn't have been for them? Confused? Yes I am :confused:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 124 ✭✭suziesaysso


    Hi all,

    This is a good question - as the product of two RUC officers I would be doing a certain disservice to my parents to say I would not join the RUC. However I would have concerns about the partisan nature of the organisation and all the other short-comings we now know about. But that after all if why we have a new poilce service with the aims of transparency and representation.

    But at the end of the day, whether it be RUC or PSNI, if you need a peeler you would hope he/she would be a good one, and thats what I want to be!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 241 ✭✭Chelsea555


    Hi all,

    This is a good question - as the product of two RUC officers I would be doing a certain disservice to my parents to say I would not join the RUC. However I would have concerns about the partisan nature of the organisation and all the other short-comings we now know about. But that after all if why we have a new poilce service with the aims of transparency and representation.

    But at the end of the day, whether it be RUC or PSNI, if you need a peeler you would hope he/she would be a good one, and thats what I want to be!

    Thats what we should all want to be!!;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 298 ✭✭PEGGYSUE'S MAMA


    This is something that i have been thinking about for the last wee hour or two.... would i have joined the ruc? I always thought yep, of course, but on much more in depth reflection, no. Don't get me wrong ,i have the utmost respect and admiration for the ruc and the awful job they had to in the circumstances of the previous decades, the organisation fully deserved the george cross that was awarded because alot of very brave men and women served.
    My dad was a prison officer during the all of the 80s and 90s, so basically at the height of the troubles, i have seen and experienced first hand what the stress and pressure from a job of a similar nature does to your personality, your life, the lives of your partner, children and extended family. My dad's life and that of many of his friends too, was nearly destroyed because the security services as employers at that time were so ill equipped when it came to preparing and supporting their staff when it came down to things like suffering the effects of post traumatic stress disorder etc.... i am hoping that now the psni and indeed all the other security agencies have learned hard lessons so that their employees can go home from their days work and live their lives without using alcohol etc as a coping mechanism...
    Jaysus i am not even sure if all of the above makes any bloody sense at all!!!!!!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 660 ✭✭✭JVB


    It does PSM and thanks for sharing that with us. I hope too that the PSNI has the support if needed. I can play the hard man all day but even I admit that I think there'll be times when I'll go home take a deep breath before I walk in the door, fearful that I might recall some awful event of the day when asked 'how was your day?' Hmmm, A somber thought indeed.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 298 ✭✭PEGGYSUE'S MAMA


    My parent's marriage was wrecked as a consequence of my dad's job and his inability to cope with everything that was happening to him and going on around him... as am sure many others were too.... i am under no illusions that being a police officer is going to be tough and will undoubtedly affect everything in one's life, esp in the climate we are all so keen to be on the frontline of. I am sure that the psni and the policing authorities have invested alot of time, money and research into all of the stuff that i have been alluding to... suppose that is why OH&W are so picky with anyone with issues regarding depression etc.


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