James Flanagan

Who was James Flanagan?

Sir James Bernard Flanagan, KBE was the only Roman Catholic Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. There was also later a Roman Catholic Deputy Chief Constable, Michael McAtamney.

Known as "Jamie Flanagan", he was born in Derry, Ireland. Jamie Flanagan was no relation of the other, better-known, RUC Chief Constable, Ronnie Flanagan. His father was a sergeant in the Royal Irish Constabulary. In 1934 Jamie Flanagan joined the RUC. In 1939 he was transferred from Downpatrick to County Fermanagh and was made Sergeant. In the same year he married Florence Acheson, a Protestant. In 1941 he was appointed Head Constable in Derry. In 1942 he became a District Inspector and was transferred to the security control unit which had sensitive wartime responsibilities.

In 1945 he was seconded for duty with the British mission to Greece and served there until 1952. He also received an MBE. He returned to the RUC, working in B Division of West Belfast in the late 1950s.

In 1961 he was promoted to County Inspector and received an OBE just before the outbreak of the Troubles in June 1968.