New era for N. Ireland policing

The RUC was established in 1921

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Northern Ireland entered a new era of policing on Sunday as a new police service came into being.

At midnight on Saturday, the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) changed its name to Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) as part of a series of reforms designed to attract more Catholics into its ranks and more nationalist support.

The Royal Ulster Constabulary's membership was overwhelmingly Protestant because nationalists would not join or back the police force.

However as a result of reforms proposed by a commission chaired by former Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten and legislation brought in by the government, the RUC has been renamed.

A major recruiting drive has also been launched to balance the number of Protestant and Catholic officers.

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The name change has, however, angered some RUC officers, their relatives and unionist politicians who claim the force's identity has been stripped away to appease nationalists.

In a letter to PSNI Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan marking the name change, Prime Minister Tony Blair acknowledged it would be a sad day for officers who served in the RUC and their families.

"I hope, however, that it will also be seen as a proud day -- a day both to reflect on the achievements of the past, and to look to a new beginning to policing," he said.

The prime minister added the "courage, sacrifices and professionalism of RUC officers and their families" would not be forgotten.

On Friday, Sir Ronnie urged all sides in Northern Ireland to keep politics out of the new era of policing.

He also told the UK Press Association he expected to be replaced as Chief Constable "in the not too distant future".

The creation of the PSNI marks the end of 80 years of service by the RUC which was established following the partition of Ireland in 1921.

In the last 32 years, the service lost 302 of its officers to paramilitary violence and thousands more were injured.

Their sacrifice was recognised with the awarding of the George Cross and the setting up of a special foundation.

Around 47 recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) begin their training on Sunday.

Their course will last 40 weeks -- consisting of 20 weeks of classroom based study, 10 weeks of weapons and riot training and 10 weeks on the beat under the guidance of a mentor.

It is hoped 600 new recruits -- half of whom will be Catholic and will be drawn not just from Northern Ireland -- will be put through training each year as the service is made more reflective of society.

The service will be held accountable by a Policing Board made up of 19 members -- 10 of whom are drawn from the Stormont Assembly.