A new police service for Northern Ireland is established as the RUC is replaced by the PSNI.
This afternoon, army bomb disposal units were examining a hijacked car after masked men forced a taxi driver to drive it the Grovenor Road Police Station. The suspect device was later declared a hoax. The operation was overseen by the newly established Police Service of Northern Ireland.
At the former RUC Headquarters, new signs went up as it was replaced by the PSNI at midnight. Old emblems and flags were also removed with changes to the uniform and crest to follow.
Sir Ronnie Flanagan Chief Constable PSNI speaks about plans for the new police service and the need for public support in order to make a real difference to people's lives in Northern Ireland.
We will do everything to embrace a new training programme that puts human rights right at the forefront of all that we do. A new programme that creates a culture of celebration of diversity, respect for individual dignity, but we need public support right across the political divisions that sadly exist in Northern Ireland.
The Alliance Party is also undergoing change as they redesignate some of their members as unionists for the purposes of electing a new first and deputy first minister. It is then hoped that the institutions will be given time to deliver real change for the people.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 4 November 2001. The reporter is Declan McBennett.
