Publisher Description

This exciting new monograph aims to establish the historical and cultural reasons why there was only a participation rate of 7-8% by the Catholic population in policing Northern Ireland when the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) came into being in 2001, even though Catholics constituted 46% of the total population. It also aims to ascertain whether or not implementation of the Patten Commission's recommendation to recruit to the PSNI on a 50: 50 basis between Catholics and non-Catholics has resulted in greater representation and what the political and cultural obstacles might be in transforming policing from meeting colonial model criteria to those of the liberal model advocated by Patten. In doing this, author Mary Gethins uses a wealth of historical data to show that there has for a long time been a problematic relationship between the native Irish Catholic population and the police, and the reasons for Catholic under-representation in the police force can be largely put down to this legacy. A survey of Catholic police officers focusing on family history, reasons for joining the police and sacrifices perceived to have been made in joining a largely Protestant organisation provide a strong empirical evidence base from which Gethins draws illuminating lessons. The work is informed by sociological theory to show that Catholic police officers are atypical of the Catholic population at large in Northern Ireland, and best explained by the concept of fragmented identity. Policing by consent is identified as being the most challenging criterion of the liberal model of policing to be met in Northern Ireland and in considering whether or not the PSNI by its own efforts is capable of embedding a fully developed liberal model, Gethins ends on a note of cautious optimism.The book will be of vital benefit to anyone interested in Irish politics, sociology, peace and reconciliation and both Irish and international police forces. -- .

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This exciting new monograph aims to establish the historical and cultural reasons why there was only a participation rate of 7-8% by the Catholic population in policing Northern Ireland when the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) came into being in 2001, even though Catholics constituted 46% of the total population. It also aims to ascertain whether or not implementation of the Patten Commission's recommendation to recruit to the PSNI on a 50: 50 basis between Catholics and non-Catholics has resulted in greater representation and what the political and cultural obstacles might be in transforming policing from meeting colonial model criteria to those of the liberal model advocated by Patten. In doing this, author Mary Gethins uses a wealth of historical data to show that there has for a long time been a problematic relationship between the native Irish Catholic population and the police, and the reasons for Catholic under-representation in the police force can be largely put down to this legacy. A survey of Catholic police officers focusing on family history, reasons for joining the police and sacrifices perceived to have been made in joining a largely Protestant organisation provide a strong empirical evidence base from which Gethins draws illuminating lessons. The work is informed by sociological theory to show that Catholic police officers are atypical of the Catholic population at large in Northern Ireland, and best explained by the concept of fragmented identity. Policing by consent is identified as being the most challenging criterion of the liberal model of policing to be met in Northern Ireland and in considering whether or not the PSNI by its own efforts is capable of embedding a fully developed liberal model, Gethins ends on a note of cautious optimism. The book will be of vital benefit to anyone interested in Irish politics, sociology, peace and reconciliation and both Irish and international police forces.

Author Biography

Mary Gethins is a former Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Education, Queen's University, Belfast

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. Historical overview
2. Digging for treasure
3. Speaking from experience: retired officers
4. Veterans but still serving officers
5. More of the same? PSNI trainees
6. The verdict on Patten
7. Looking back and looking forward
Bibliography
Appendices
1.Questionnaire and quantitative analysis: tables
2.Interview guide
3.Confidentiality agreement and the terms and conditions of access to the RUC for research purposes

Promotional

Explores historically the problematic relationship between Catholics and the police in Northern Ireland.

Long Description

This exciting new monograph aims to establish the historical and cultural reasons why there was only a participation rate of 7-8% by the Catholic population in policing Northern Ireland when the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) came into being in 2001, even though Catholics constituted 46% of the total population. It also aims to ascertain whether or not implementation of the Patten Commission's recommendation to recruit to the PSNI on a 50: 50 basis between Catholics and non-Catholics has resulted in greater representation and what the political and cultural obstacles might be in transforming policing from meeting colonial model criteria to those of the liberal model advocated by Patten.In doing this, author Mary Gethins uses a wealth of historical data to show that there has for a long time been a problematic relationship between the native Irish Catholic population and the police, and the reasons for Catholic under-representation in the police force can be largely put down to this legacy. A survey of Catholic police officers focusing on family history, reasons for joining the police and sacrifices perceived to have been made in joining a largely Protestant organisation provide a strong empirical evidence base from which Gethins draws illuminating lessons. The work is informed by sociological theory to show that Catholic police officers are atypical of the Catholic population at large in Northern Ireland, and best explained by the concept of fragmented identity. Policing by consent is identified as being the most challenging criterion of the liberal model of policing to be met in Northern Ireland and in considering whether or not the PSNI by its own efforts is capable of embedding a fully developed liberal model, Gethins ends on a note of cautious optimism.The book will be of vital benefit to anyone interested in Irish politics, sociology, peace and reconciliation and both Irish and international police forces. -- .

Description for Reader

This exciting new monograph aims to establish the historical and cultural reasons why there was only a participation rate of 7-8% by the Catholic population in policing Northern Ireland when the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) came into being in 2001, even though Catholics constituted 46% of the total population. It also aims to ascertain whether or not implementation of the Patten Commission's recommendation to recruit to the PSNI on a 50: 50 basis between Catholics and non-Catholics has resulted in greater representation and what the political and cultural obstacles might be in transforming policing from meeting colonial model criteria to those of the liberal model advocated by Patten. In doing this, author Mary Gethins uses a wealth of historical data to show that there has for a long time been a problematic relationship between the native Irish Catholic population and the police, and the reasons for Catholic under-representation in the police force can be largely put down to this legacy. A survey of Catholic police officers focusing on family history, reasons for joining the police and sacrifices perceived to have been made in joining a largely Protestant organisation provide a strong empirical evidence base from which Gethins draws illuminating lessons. The work is informed by sociological theory to show that Catholic police officers are atypical of the Catholic population at large in Northern Ireland, and best explained by the concept of fragmented identity. Policing by consent is identified as being the most challenging criterion of the liberal model of policing to be met in Northern Ireland and in considering whether or not the PSNI by its own efforts is capable of embedding a fully developed liberal model, Gethins ends on a note of cautious optimism. The book will be of vital benefit to anyone interested in Irish politics, sociology, peace and reconciliation and both Irish and international police forces.

Description for Sales People

Topical and up to date.. Based on strong empirical research among Catholic police officers.. Set in its proper historical context.. Sounds a tentative note of optimism about the future propsects for liberal development of the PSNI.. Of great value to students, academics and future researchers looking at the policing of Northern Ireland.

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