the Royal Ulster Constabulary
/ðə ˌrɔɪəl ˌʌlstə kənˈstæbjələri/
/ðə ˌrɔɪəl ˌʌlstər kənˈstæbjəleri/
(abbreviation the RUC)
- the police force of Northern Ireland, named in 1922. It worked closely with the British army during the years of political violence in Northern Ireland. After the Good Friday Agreement a review of policing in Northern Ireland led to its replacement in 2001 by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.