The Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) was Ireland's armed police force from the early nineteenth century until 1922. The R.I.C. uniform also tended to look more militaritistic. Much more pomp and ceremony with the obvious British Military influence at the time in Ireland prior to 1921/2. This is seen in their rank insignia.

The RIC was disbanded in 1922 and was replaced by the Garda Síochána in the Irish Free State and the Royal Ulster Constabulary in the North of Ireland. The RUC was disbanded in 2001.

The Good Friday Agreement (1998), produced a wholesale reorganisation of inter-community, governmental and policing systems, part of the Good Friday Agreement, was a fundamental policing review, headed by Chris Patten. . The review was published in September 1999. It recommended a wholesale reorganisation of policing, with the Royal Ulster Constabulary being replacing by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), and should adopt a new crest and cap badge. The PSNI was introduced in November 2001. As part of the change, the police service dropped the word "Royal" and adopted a new badge that included the crown, harp, and shamrock, to show an identification with both communities