Ronnie Flanagan leaves North's police service today

With the departure of Ronnie Flanagan, Northern Ireland’s new policing service was today losing one of its most articulate and controversial figures.

Admired by many as a strong media performer, the outgoing Chief Constable earned kudos for the way he helped steer the Royal Ulster Constabulary through its transformation into the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

But the reform of policing came at a price.

Some in the force as well as relatives of those RUC officers killed during the Troubles resented the reforms.

Many nationalists also treated him with scepticism, with Sinn Fein constantly referring to his Special Branch past to prove he was incapable of delivering a new beginning to policing.

But what is the view of those politicians who dealt with him?

Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid said: ‘‘Ronnie Flanagan has worked his way through the ranks in the police during some of the worst of times in Northern Ireland and hopefully has brought us into some of the best of times.

His particular gifts of articulacy and common sense has added a huge amount to carrying through what has been a huge managerial and reorganisational transformation of the police in the midst of a dreadful security situation at times and of political controversy.

In spite of these, Ronnie Flanagan has been an outstanding and capable leader of the RUC and PSNI.’’

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams also added: ‘‘I try not to be begrudging in any of this. Ronnie Flanagan like some of the rest of us has survived the 30 years. He knows a lot of secrets. He has been a key to the repressive arm of the state for a long time. He is out of it. Good luck.’’

Fred Cobain, Ulster Unionist member of Police Board continued: ‘‘I think Ronnie Flanagan has earned a lot of respect for the way he steered the police through a period of radical change. He has made a significant contribution to policing over the past 30 years - particularly the last five and a half years as Chief Constable. I have no doubt he will be sorely missed.’’

Ian Paisley Junior, Democratic Unionist member of Police Board said: ‘‘Whatever agreements or disagreements we might have had with Ronnie Flanagan, as a Chief Constable he will be impossible to replace. The Police Board has a very difficult task in choosing his successor and at this crucial stage may end up regretting jettisoning such an experienced officer.’’

Alex Attwood, SDLP Assembly member said: ‘‘I think in overall terms Ronnie Flanagan did a reasonable job in terms of managing the transition from the RUC to the Police Service of Northern Ireland and he has to be given credit for that.

"I think the controversy in the last few months over the handling of the Omagh bomb investigation and his row with the ombudsman has undoubtedly tainted his record. But I think the jury is still out on his term in office as far as history is concerned.’’