The RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, has selected and briefed the officers who will command the 29 new policing "districts" which replace the current RUC divisional structure, writes Jim Cusack, Security Editor.
Several of the officers are being appointed on promotion to replace the large number of senior officers who have opted to take early retirement under the Patten recommendations.
Some 51 superintendents and chief superintendents have left and another 30 are to leave before September 1st. These are being replaced by officers of inspector and chief inspector ranks and considerable promotion will take place to fill vacancies at management level.
Under the first batch of departures as part of the Patten voluntary severance deal, 497 officers are leaving before March 1st. Most left last month, taking accrued leave.
The regular force was already 400 officers short of its full, or "establishment", complement of 8,488.