The Unconventional Soldier Surveillance War: RUC Covert Operations During the Troubles
CONTENT
Our guest today is today is Andy who served in the British Army and the RUC as a uniformed officer then, after passing an intensive selection course, with E4A the RUC unit tasked with covert surveillance operations during The Troubles. On this podcast we discuss his Army and police careers, the operational life of a police officer in Northern Ireland and the surveillance and intelligence war against terrorism.
The RUC paid a heavy price with over 300 officers killed both on and off duty and four killed in friendly fire incidents. In addition in 1999 it was reported that 70 had taken their own lives. Many of the 9,000 officers who have been injured live with a legacy of handicap and suffering.
This duty was recognised in 1999 when the force was awarded the GC to honour the courage and dedication of police officers and their families. This is the highest honour conferred on civilians taking precedence over all medals except the VC.
Over the years, individual members of the RUC have been awarded: 16 George medals; 100 Queen's Gallantry Medals; 150 Queen's Commendations for brave conduct; 120 Queen's Police Medals; and 150 British Empire Medals.
DESERT ISLAND DITS
On Desert Island Dits our guest's choice of book was How Can Man Die Better: The Secrets of Isandlwana Revealed by Mike Snook. The team's choice this week was First In: An Insider's Account of How the CIA Spearheaded the War on Terror in Afghanistan by Gary Schroen and Secret Victory: The Intelligence War that beat the IRA by Dr William Matchett.
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