PSNI at 25: Policing remains a touchy subject in Northern Ireland

Walking around Belfast with a microphone and asking people to talk publicly about policing is a revealing experience.

It highlights how just sensitive policing remains in Northern Ireland.

Few people wanted to discuss it, with “touchy subject” a regular response followed by a hasty swerve away from the microphone.

As the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) marks its 25th anniversary, it is clear it does not operate in a conventional society.

Deep political divisions remain, and the past casts a shadow over the present after the 30-year conflict known as the Troubles.

Historically, there has been much more support for policing from the Protestant/unionist community than from Catholics/nationalists.

The decision to create a new police service, in the aftermath of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, was an ambitious attempt to provide a new beginning to policing.

Although built on the existing force (the Royal Ulster Constabulary), there was a change of name, uniform and insignia.