This book lists the 1700 officers of the RIC, including birth, marriage and death dates; the native county, service (if any) in the British army, yeomanry and militia; dates of appointment and retirement, resignation, discharge or dismissal and a list of officers who later served as lawmen elsewhere.

Covers the history of policing in Ireland, how the system worked, the establishment of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC), the types of men in the Force, their backgrounds and lifestyles, the final years of the RIC, how to trace ancestors in the RIC, and a case history of a constable. This is followed by appendices which explain the RIC lists as a genealogical source. Includes a list of medal recipients and casualties.

"In the period 1816 to 1922 some 85,000 men served in the RIC and its predecessor force...This book consists of chapters about the history of policing in Ireland...followed by a chapter on tracing your ancestors in the RIC..." --Dust jacket.