THE RUC (ROYAL ULSTER CONSTABULARY)

Picture of RUC men

  • OPERATIONAL COMMAND STRUCTURE

  • RUC NUMBERS, SEPTEMBER 1994

  • RUC HEADQUARTERS ('S' DIVISION)

  • REGIONAL COMMANDS

  • FORTIFICATION WORK ONGOING OR PLANNED


    OPERATIONAL COMMAND STRUCTURE

    THE RUC has a total of 161 installations throughout the Six Counties. Their operational division and use of installations replicates that of the British Army although both forces have numerous bases within their sole control. The entire RUC operation is overseen by a Headquarters Command Structure, designated 'S' Division. Below this there are three Regional Commands divided into 12 Divisional Commands and 38 Subdivisional Commands. Specialist and maintenance units are spread across many of the bases in the North.

    Scenes of Crimes Office (SOCO)

    This department comprises photographers, fingerprint and forensic specialists and topographers. Civilian staff work alongside RUC personnel. Within Belfast, this staff has personnel seconded to every barracks. The work of the department is administered out of Tennent Street (36), Queen Street (10) and Mountpottinger (13). All other SOCOs operate from Divisional Commands across the Six Counties.

    Headquarters Mobile Support Units (HMSU)

    HMSUs operate under the direct control of the Head of Special Branch. Any Divisional Command in the Six Counties can request that HMSUs be assigned to their operational area. The HMSUs are based primarily at Knock HQ (1) and Lisnasharragh (2). They are also based in: Rural East (South Region Command) at Gough (67), Drumadd (64) and Mahon Road (81); and in Rural West (North Region Command) at Eglinton 128), Strand Road (124) and Strabane (132).

    Divisional Mobile Support Units (DMSU)

    DMSUs operate under the control of headquarters in the respective 12 Divisional Command areas. In Belfast Region they have a central command located at Musgrave Street (9). All DMSUs receive additional training from RUC/British Army specialists at the Operations Training Unit based in Palace Barracks (167). Back-up for DMSUs is provided from within the RUC Reserve some of whom are formed into Shadow DMSUs.

    Transport Radio & Telecommunications Workshops

    The RUC have several workshops located across the Six Counties. These formerly operated out of Gough Barracks (67) and Lislea Drive in Belfast, but due to demand they opened new workshops at Maryfield, Enniskillen (103), Derry and South Antrim, and latterly within Antrim Road Barracks (26), Belfast.

    Communications

    The RUC operates seven hilltop repeater stations across the Six Counties, which are availed of by all the RUC's departments and units, as well as other government departments such as the Fire Authority, the Roads Executive, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Forestry.

    The Police Authority

    The Police Authority which is situated at River House, High Street, Belfast, employs a total workforce estimated at over 3,000. Only 630 of these are employed directly by the Authority. The rest are recruited by the Northern Ireland Civil Service and seconded to the Authority.

    RUC NUMBERS, SEPTEMBER 1994

    
         		  Male		Female		Total


Full-time		 7,645		 832		 8,477

Reserve			 3,076		 135		 3,211
(Full-time)

Reserve			   973		 424		 1,397
(Part-time)


Total			11,694		1,391		13,085

    RUC HEADQUARTERS ('S' DIVISION)

    1. RUC HEADQUARTERS, KNOCK, Belfast: This base houses the following departments and specialist units:

    and administrative staffs for which are all coordinated and controlled by the Head of Special Branch (HSB) who liaises directly with the Director and Coordinator of Intelligence for Northern Ireland (DCOINl) based in 'The Department', Parliament Buildings, Stormont. These units' structure replicates that of the British Army's operational brigade areas and the RUC's Regional Command areas right down to Subdivisional Command level.

    2. LISNASHARRAGH, Montgomery Road, Belfast: HMSU squads and a number of headquarters administrative staffs as well as the RUC Driving School and the Office of Traffic Control are based here.

    3. ORMISTON, Hawthornden Road, Belfast: Houses the Complaints and Force Discipline section of headquarters administrative staff.

    4. CONNSWATER, Newtownards Road, Belfast: The RUC Training Centre and Cadet Academic College is situated here.

    5. GARNERVILLE, Garnerville Road, Belfast: Headquarters force control centre and the RUC Training Department are based here. The offices of the Police Federation are also located in Garnerville.

    6. SPRUCEFIELD, Central Stores, Belfast: The RUC Central Stores were located at Sprucefield which is still operational but is due to transfer to Carrickfergus when Seapark (7) comes fully on stream.

    7. SEAPARK, Carrickfergus: RUC Central Stores are currently transferring to this location.

    REGIONAL COMMANDS

    The three Regional Commanders have within them a number of Divisions, which are further divided into Subdivisional Command areas. These have a number of barracks under their charge and direction. The following are the three regions: Belfast Region comprising 'A', 'B', 'D' and 'E' Divisions; Rural East (South Region) comprising 'G', 'H', 'J' and 'P' Divisions; Rural West (North Region) comprising 'K', 'L', 'N' and 'O' Divisions.

    Belfast Region

    8. ALEXANDER ROAD, Castlereagh: The Belfast Region Headquarters (BRH) operates from here.

    'A 'DIVISION, (EAST BELFAST)

    9. MUSGRAVE STREET: Divisional and Subdivisional Command.

    10. QUEEN STREET: Barracks in Musgrave Street Subdivision.

    11. DONEGALL PASS: Subdivisional Command.

    12. BALLYNAFEIGH: Barracks in Donegall Pass Subdivision.

    13. MOUNTPOTTINGER: Subdivisional Command.

    14. WILLOWFIELD: Barracks in Mountpottinger Subdivision.

    15. DUNMURRAY: Subdivisional Command.

    16. LISBURN ROAD: Barracks in Dunmurray Subdivision.

    'B' DIVISION, (WEST BELFAST)

    17. GROSVENOR ROAD: Divisional and Subdivisional Command.

    18. SPRINGFIELD ROAD: Barracks in Grosvenor Road Subdivision.

    19. SPRINGFIELD PARADE: Barracks in Grosvenor Road Subdivision.

    20. NEW BARNSLEY: Barracks in Grosvenor Road Subdivision.

    21. WOODBOURNE: Subdivisional Command.

    22. ANDERSONSTOWN: Barracks in Woodbourne Subdivision.

    23. LISBURN: Subdivisional Command.

    24. HILLSBOROUGH: Barracks in Lisburn Subdivision.

    25. SPRUCEFIELD: Barracks in Lisburn Subdivision.

    'D' DIVISION, (NORTH BELFAST)

    26. ANTRIM ROAD: Divisional and Subdivisional Command.

    27. OLDPARK: Barracks in Antrim Road Subdivision.

    28. NEWTOWNABBEY: Subdivisional Command.

    29. BALLYCLARE: Barracks in Newtownabbey Subdivision.

    30. GLENGORMLEY: Barracks in Newtownabbey Subdivision.

    31. NORTH QUEEN STREET: Subdivisional Command.

    32. YORK ROAD: Barracks in North Queen Street Subdivision.

    33. GREENCASTLE: Barracks in North Queen Street Subdivision.

    34. CARRICKFERGUS: Subdivisional Command.

    35. WHITEHEAD: Barracks in Carrickfergus Subdivision.

    36. TENNENT STREET: Subdivisional Command.

    37. ANTRIM: Subdivisional Command.

    38. CRUMLIN: Barracks in Antrim Subdivision.

    39. RANDALSTOWN: Barracks in Antrim Subdivision.

    40. TEMPLEPATRICK: Barracks in Antrim Subdivision.

    41. TOOMEBRIDGE: Barracks in Antrim Subdivision.

    'E' DIVISION, (South Belfast)

    42. STRANDTOWN: Division and Subdivisional Command.

    43. DUNDONALD: Barracks in Strandtown Subdivision.

    44. CASTLEREAGH: Subdivisional Command.

    45. CARRYDUFF: Barracks in Castlereagh Subdivision.

    46. BANGOR: Subdivisional Command.

    47. HELEN'S BAY: Barracks in Bangor Subdivision.

    48. HOLYWOOD: Barracks in Bangor Subdivision.

    49. STORMONT: Subdivisional Command.

    50. BROOKLYN: Barracks in Stormont Subdivision.

    51. KNOCKNAGONEY: Barracks in Stormont Subdivision.

    Other barracks in Stormont Subdivision: Lisnasharragh (2), Ormiston (3) Garnerville (5).

    Rural East (South) Region

    'G' DIVISION, (NEWTOWNARDS)

    52. NEWTOWNARDS: Divisional and Subdivisional Command.

    53. COMBER: Barracks in Newtownards Subdivision.

    54. DONAGHADEE: Barracks in Newtownards Subdivision.

    55. PORTAFERRY: Barracks in Newtownards Subdivision.

    56. GREYABBEY: Barracks in Newtownards Subdivision.

    57. DOWNPATRICK: Subdivisional Command.

    58. BALLYNAHINCH: Barracks in Downpatrick Subdivision.

    59. CROSSGAR: Barracks in Downpatrick Subdivision.

    60. KILLYLEAGH: Barracks in Downpatrick Subdivision.

    61. ARDGLASS: Barracks in Downpatrick Subdivision.

    62. SAINTFIELD: Barracks in Downpatrick Newtownards Subdivision.

    63. NEWCASTLE: Subdivisional Command.

    64. CASTELWELLAN: Barracks in Newcastle Subdivision.

    65. KILKEEL: Barracks in Newcastle Subdivision.

    'H' DIVISION, (ARMAGH)

    66. ARMAGH: Divisional and Subdivisional Command.

    67. GOUGH: Barracks in Armagh Subdivision.

    68. KEADY: Barracks in Armagh Subdivision.

    69. MARKETHILL: Barracks in Armagh Subdivision.

    70. LOUGHGALL: Barracks in Armagh Subdivision.

    71. MIDDLETOWN: Barracks in Armagh Subdivision.

    72. TANDRAGEE: Barracks in Armagh Subdivision.

    73. NEWRY: Subdivisional Command.

    74. EDWARD STREET, Newry: Barracks in Newry Subdivision.

    75. DUBLIN ROAD, Newry: Barracks in Newry Subdivision.

    76. BESSBROOK: Barracks in Newry Subdivision.

    77. CROSSMAGLEN: Barracks in Newry Subdivision.

    78. FORKHILL: Barracks in Newry Subdivision.

    79. NEWTOWNHAMILTON: Barracks in Newry Subdivision.

    80. WARRENPOINT: Barracks in Newry Subdivision.

    'J' DIVISION, (PORTADOWN)

    81. MAHON ROAD: Divisional Command and barracks in Portadown Subdivision.

    82. PORTADOWN: Subdivisional Command.

    83. LURGAN: Subdivisional Command.

    84. MOIRA: Barracks in Lurgan Subdivision.

    85. CRAIGAVON: Barracks in Lurgan Subdivision.

    86. BANBRIDGE: Subdivisional Command.

    87. DROMORE: Barracks in Banbridge Subdivision.

    88. DROMARA: Barracks in Banbridge Subdivision.

    89. GILFORD: Barracks in Banbndge Subdivision.

    90. RATHFRILAND: Barracks in Banbridge Subdivision.

    'K' DIVISION, (COOKSTOWN)

    91. COOKSTOWN: Divisional and Subdivisional Command.

    92. COAGH: Barracks in Cookstown Subdivision.

    93. MONEYMORE: Barracks in Cookstown Subdivision.

    94. POMEROY: Barracks in Cookstown Subdivision.

    95. STEWARTSTOWN: Barracks in Cookstown Subdivision.

    96. DUNGANNON: Subdivisional Command.

    97. AUGHNACLOY: Barracks in Cookstown Subdivision.

    98. BALLYGAWLEY: Barracks in Cookstown Subdivision.

    99. BENBURB: Barracks in Cookstown Subdivision.

    100. CALEDON: Barracks in Cookstown Subdivision.

    101. COALISLAND: Barracks in Cookstown Subdivision.

    102. MOY: Barracks in Cookstown Subdivision

    Rural West (North) Region

    'L' DIVISION, (ENNISKILLEN)

    103. ENNISKILLEN: Divisional and Subdivisional Command.

    104. KESH: Barracks in Enniskillen Subdivision.

    105. IRVINESTOWN: Barracks in Enniskillen Subdivision.

    106. BELLEEK: Barracks in Enniskillen Subdivision.

    107. BELCOO: Barracks in Enniskillen Subdivision.

    108. KINAWLEY: Barracks in Enniskillen Subdivision.

    109. DERRYGONNELLY: Barracks in Enniskillen Subdivision.

    110. BALLINAMALLARD: Barracks in Enniskillen Subdivision.

    111. LISBELLAW: Barracks in Enniskillen Subdivision.

    112. LISNASKEA: Subdivisional Command.

    113. NEWTOWNBUTLER: Barracks in Lisnaskea Subdivision.

    114. ROSSLEA: Barracks in Lisnaskea Subdivision.

    115. TEMPO: Barracks in Lisnaskea Subdivision.

    116. CLOGHER: Barracks in Lisnaskea Subdivision.

    117. FIVEMILETOWN: Barracks in Lisnaskea Subdivision.

    118. OMAGH: Subdivisional Command.

    119. BERAGH: Barracks in Omagh Subdivision.

    120. DROMORE: Barracks in Omagh Subdivision.

    121. NEWTOWNSTEWART: Barracks in Omagh Subdivision.

    122. FINTONA: Barracks in Omagh Subdivision.

    123. CARRICKMORE: Barracks in Omagh Subdivision.

    'N' DIVISION, (DERRY)

    124. STRAND ROAD: Divisional and Subdivisional Command.

    125. SHANTALLOW: Barracks in Strand Road Subdivision.

    126. ROSEMOUNT: Barracks in Strand Road Subdivision.

    127. WATERSIDE: Subdivisional Command.

    128. EGLINTON: Barracks in Waterside Subdivision.

    129. CLAUDY: Barracks in Waterside Subdivision.

    130. BROWNING DRIVE: Barracks in Waterside Subdivision.

    131. MAYDOWN: Barracks in Waterside Subdivision.

    132. STRABANE: Subdivisional Command.

    133. PLUMBRIDGE: Barracks in Strabane Subdivision.

    134. DONNEMANAGH: Barracks in Strabane Subdivsion.

    135. CASTLEDERG: Barracks in Strabane Subdivision.

    136. SION MILLS: Barracks in Strabane Subdivision.

    'O' DIVISION, (COLERAINE)

    137. COLERAINE: Divisional and Subdivisional Command.

    138. PORTRUSH: Barracks in Coleraine Subdivisional Command.

    139. PORTSTEWART: Barracks in Coleraine Subdivisional Command.

    140. GARVAGH: Barracks in Coleraine Subdivisional Command.

    141. KILREA: Barracks in Coleraine Subdivisional Command.

    142. CASTLEROCK: Barracks in Coleraine Subdivisional Command.

    143. LIMAVADY: Subdivisional Command.

    14. DUNGIVEN: Barracks in Limavady Subdivisional Command.

    145. MAGHERAFELT: Subdivisional Command.

    146. MAGHER: Barracks in Magherafelt Subdivisional Command.

    147. CASTLEDAWSON: Barracks in Magherafelt Subdivisional Command.

    148. DRAPERSTOWN: Barracks in Magherafelt Subdivisional Command.

    149. BELLAGHY: Barracks in Magherafelt Subdivisional Command.

    'P' DIVISION, (BALLYMENA)

    150. BALLYUENA: Divisional and Subdivisional Command.

    151. PORTGLENONE: Barracks in Ballymena Subdivisional Command

    152. CULLYBACKY: Barracks in Ballymena Subdivisional Command.

    153. KELLS: Barracks in Ballymena Subdivisional Command.

    154. BROUGHSHANE: Barracks in Ballymena Subdivisional Command.

    155. LARNE: Subdivisional Command.

    156. GLENARM: Barracks in Larne Subdivisional Command.

    157. BALLYMONEY: Subdivisional Command.

    158. BALLYCASTLE: Barracks in Ballymoney Subdivisional Command.

    159. BUSHMILLS: Barracks in Ballymoney Subdivisional Command.

    160. CLOUGHMILLS: Barracks in Ballymoney Subdivisional Command.

    161. CUSHENDALL: Barracks in Ballymoney Subdivisional Command.

    FORTIFICATION WORK ONGOING OR PLANNED

    Picture of Army Helicopter Fortification

    There is continual upgrading and reinforcement work being carried out on most military bases or installations across the Six Counties. A number of RUC barracks are undergoing reconstruction/fortification work at present and other barracks have been earmarked for such work to begin within days. A number of new barracks have also been planned.

    Lisburn Road Barracks (16): Is being rebuilt and is set to become three to four times the size of the original barracks.

    Grosvenor Road Barracks (17): Has been undergoing renovation and extension work for the past year. Additional fortifications and an extra have been erected to date.

    New Barnsley Barracks (20): Perimeter and exterior security are being reinforced and up-graded.

    Springfield Road Barracks (18): Perimeter and exterior security are being reinforced and up-graded.

    Springfield Parade (19): Several acres of land dividing the Springfield Park and Springmartin estates have been requisitioned in preparation for the construction of what may prove to be the largest RUC barracks in Belfast, which is to replace the older Springfield Parade Barracks when it is decommisioned.

    Lisburn (23): A huge new state-of-the-art fortress is planned for Lisburn with land requisitioning already completed.

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