Bullet-proof vest and Sterling sub-machine gun carried by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) until the 1994 ceasefires. The IRA ceasefire was announced on 31 August 1994, closely followed by the Combined Loyalist Military Command’s cessation on the 13 October. The security forces’ response to the ceasefires was cautious and progressive.  In some areas, the British army was retired, elsewhere soldiers on patrol discarded their bullet-proof vests and wore berets instead of helmets and heavy armoured vehicles were withdrawn to barracks. By 1995, the army support for police had been reduced by three-quarters and in many places withdrawn altogether. Routine vehicle checks across the border were discontinued, some bases were removed and cratered border roads were repaired. Traffic control zones in towns and cities were lifted, check points and barriers were removed or opened and the civilian search unit was stood down and disbanded.

The ceasefires allowed the RUC to focus on traditional policing duties and become more visible in the community. Fortifications around most RUC stations were dismantled and in some areas, stations held information days and opened their doors and gates during daylight hours. RUC officers returned to patrolling the streets without heavy weapons and bullet-proof jackets. Road safety and fighting drug crime became important elements of "normal policing". A new fleet of white police liveried vans were ordered and liveried motor cycles were deployed for traffic enforcement. Some anti-terrorist units were drafted in to help combat the increase in recreational drugs and specialist liaison officer roles were created to tackle domestic violence. Although the ceasefires broke down temporarily in 1996, the political momentum remained and the reduction in violence allowed the RUC to focus more on standard policing duties.