Democratic Policing in Times of Trouble? Police Responses to Security Reforms and Transitional Justice in Northern Ireland

As institutional stakeholders in post-conflict security sector reform initiatives, the study of police officers can shed significant light on key questions about the durability and connections between democratic policing and peacebuilding. The article presents Northern Ireland as a case study to explore engagement of police officers in transitional justice and police reform processes after the Troubles (1968–1998). Semi-structured interviews with 19 retired officers who served both as members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) show how they have experienced disillusionment and dissatisfaction with specific outcomes of the political transition. Their reflections on the roles and responsibilities that officers maintain in implementing democratic policing principles reveal a response that extends beyond simple rejection or acceptance of police reform mandates. Their narratives also highlight that a holistic and pragmatic approach to (in)security to guide post-conflict engagement with community stakeholders would help overcome perceived resistance to institutional reforms.