The RUC tells the inside story of the 13, 000 men and women of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. According to Interpol, Northern Ireland is the most dangerous place in the world to be a police officer. Since 1969 over 300 members of the RUC have given their lives and another 9, 000 have been maimed and injured in the course of duty. Chris Ryder traces the origins of this unique force from the partition of Ireland in the early 1920's, to the turmoil of the troubles and the challenges set down by the Patten Report at the turn of the century. THE RUC is a fascinating, authoritative history of a force under fire, facing the tests of change.