Royal Ulster Constabulary

Police force of Northern Ireland, established in 1922 following the partition of Ireland. Its duties include those of a normal law enforcement agency as well as protection against terrorist activity. Until 1969 it included an armed section known as the B-Specials. Members of the RUC are 90% Protestant, and Irish nationalists and republicans have accused the force of being biased against Roman Catholics.

The RUC has been under the control of the Northern Ireland Office of the British government since direct rule was established in 1972. Matters of security, law, and order remained under British government control following devolution of power to the Northern Ireland executive in December 1999.