Phase Three: Power-Assisted Steering

Abstract

Just as the change of name and badge signified a new beginning for police in Northern Ireland, Ronnie Flanagan’s intention to retire further underlined the move into a new era. Since his appointment as Chief Constable in 1996, he had been the public face of the organisation and the interface between it and the political environment in which it was situated. His local roots, longstanding service, high media profile, background in Special Branch and most of all, his easy manner all served to focus attention on him as a charismatic leader. However, longstanding distrust between him and nationalist politicians meant that he was always a visible reminder of a tangled and contentious past and was regarded by that constituency as the most visible hindrance to the vision of a new police service. Even with those variables, Flanagan’s position was initially strong given his close relationship with Prime Minister Blair and various Secretaries of State. It was the Omagh bomb enquiry which hastened Flanagan’s departure. This section will look at that transition, and the appointment of Hugh Orde as the new Chief Constable of the PSNI and the implementation of the bulk of the Patten recommendations.