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What a pity that R.U.C. Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan should
jump on the bandwagon of those who delight in attacking the
Orange Order by implication - his comments on officers who
are members can only be construed as him adopting that stance.
Flanagan, one of the most politically-conscious Chief Constables
is entitled to his opinion but to voice it publicly on a Channel
4 programme is hardly the most diplomatic or calculated to
win him friends and admirers among a substantial section of
the Protestant population.
Blanket condemnation is not a commendable thing and for Flanagan
to say he "would rather they didn't belong to such organisations,"
is implying that by taking out membership of the Orange Order
his officers are joining something clandestine or disreputable.
Orangemen have been members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary
since its formation and all the evidence points to the fact
that the vast majority carried out their duties in a fair
and impartial manner - indeed many Roman Catholics have testified
to this in the past.
Every Orangeman is sworn to uphold and support the laws of
the land and the magistrates and the small minority who detract
from that path go against the laws and ordinances of their
own Institution.
Orangemen have played a noble role for generations in the
Crown forces, and many have paid with their lives. The sacrifice
of thousands of Orangemen in the First World War is well-known
and recorded - at the Somme and many other battlefields.
Orangemen died in the 'Troubles' of the 1920's, many of them
wearing the uniform of the Ulster Special Constabulary, and
later the R.U.C.
Ronnie Flanagan seems embarrassed by the fact that many members
of the R.U.C. are also Orangemen. So far it has not been a
condition imposed on R.U.C. officers that they should not
be a member of the Loyal Orange Institution, but in view of
the comments of the Chief Constable it is only fair to speculate
on whether moves are in the offing.
That would be a great pity and would be grossly unfair, not
only to serving officers, but the many down the years who
have served with honour and dedication to the R.U.C., and
also felt proud of their Orange membership.
In November 1996, and February 1997, the 'Orange Standard'
carried the names of over 200 Orangemen who have died in the
present 'Troubles' and a sizeable proportion were officers
in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the R.U.C. Reserve. That
surely says it all, and any thoughts entertained that a ban
on Orange membership should be imposed on police officers
ought to be kicked into touch - it would be grossly unfair.
The Grand Master of Ireland, Bro. Robert Saulters has strongly
defended the right of members of the R.U.C. to be members
of the Orange and other Loyal Orders.
Bro. Saulters dismissed claims that R.U.C. membership was
incompatible with belonging to the Orange Order. "I would
have thought the R.U.C. personnel should be allowed to have
a mind of their own and lead their own private lives whatever
way they like when they are off-duty", said Bro. Saulters.
He added: "I can't see any harm in a man belonging to
the R.U.C. and the Orange Order. Are officers not allowed
to have private lives?"
The Orange Order's executive officer, Bro. George Patton
questioned the motivation behind Mr. Flanagan's objections.
"I don't think it is relevant and would be interested
to know if he is singling out the Orange Order or is he referring
to other organisations as well, such as the A.O.H.",
he said.
Bro. Patton said he believed it was a bit of a red herring
because he didn't think anyone could point the finger at a
policeman for being negligent or bad because of their membership
of the Orange Order. "It is a bit of an easy option to
have a go at us," said Bro. Patton.
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