ABSTRACT
Policing in communally divided societies is organized around the defense of a sectarian regime and the preservation of a social order based on institutionalized inequality between dominant and subordinate ethnic, racial, or religious groups. The policy of military primacy came under review by a new Labor government, which appointed the Gardiner to assess the security situation. Essentially, the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) performs both counterinsurgency and ordinary policing roles, although one style prevails in any given locale depending on its security profile. Virtually the entire population of Northern Ireland has been stopped on the street at some time by the security forces. Although the Police Authority wishes to make the Police-Community Liaison Committees (PCLCs) more representative and has encouraged them to deal with more important matters, the problems identified here continue to dilute the impact of these committees in the areas of accountability and police community relations.
