Sir Ronnie to herald new age of policing

Major changes in policing arrangements in Northern Ireland are expected to be announced today by RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan.

New district command units covering every local council area, to replace divisions and sub-divisions on April 1, are also likely to be confirmed.

Commanders for all 29 areas - Belfast will have four - have been chosen as part of moves to create a service more in touch with the local community.

The first of an equal number of Protestant and Catholic recruits to the new Police Service of Northern Ireland are due to begin training in September before starting duty on the streets next spring.

Because of the refusal of the nationalist SDLP and Sinn Fein to sign up to the arrangements, the appointment of a new policing board - 10 of the 19 members will belong to the Northern Ireland Assembly - has had to be delayed.

But the Chief Constable has decided to press ahead, and the restructuring of the districts is a key part of the plans for the future.

Special Branch and Crime Branch are also to be brought together.

District partnership boards for all 29 areas are also to be established and they will have regular contact with the district commanders.