This poster was produced by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) in 1999 and serves as a memorial to 300 members of the force killed during the recent Troubles. The 1998 Belfast or Good Friday Agreement included a mandate on policing and justice which led to the establishment of the Independent Commission into Policing in Northern Ireland. The aim of the commission, led by Conservative politician Chris Patten, was to consult widely and make recommendations for policing structures, arrangements, composition, recruitment, ethos and symbols that would encourage widespread community support. The Patten report was published in September 1999 and contained 175 recommendations which aimed to progressively transform the RUC into a modern, community-based police service. Recommendations included a change of name, oath and badge as well as a new structure. The establishment of a new policing board, a reduction in strength to 7,500, an increase in Catholic recruits and a new District Policing Partnership Board were also proposed.

Chief Constable Flanagan accepted the findings of the Patten report, but described “the hurt … caused by the suggestion that the title … emblems and … crest of the organisation … be changed”. The Police Federation, which represented 12,000 members of the RUC, opposed “any change in name from Royal Ulster Constabulary as a betrayal of the proud tradition of the police service and of the memory and sacrifice of the 302 officers who have been murdered and over 8,500 injured …”.

In April 2000, the Queen awarded the George Cross to the RUC in recognition of their bravery during 30 years of conflict. It was the second time that the medal had been awarded for collective gallantry; the first being to the island of Malta during World War II. The second paragraph of the citation read: "As Northern Ireland reaches a turning point in its political development this award is made to recognise the collective courage and dedication to duty of all those who have served in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and who have accepted the danger and stress this has brought to them and to their families."

Despite the mixed reaction to the Patten report, many of the recommendations were enacted in the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 and progressively implemented. On the 4th November 2001, the RUC became the Police Service of Northern Ireland. A month later, the Policing Board agreed on a new badge featuring Saint Patrick's Cross surrounded by six symbols: a harp, crown, shamrock, laurel leaf, torch and the scales of justice.

In 2003, Prince Charles, patron of the RUC George Cross Foundation opened the RUC memorial garden at police headquarters, Brooklyn, east Belfast. The garden contains sculptures, poems, a history trail and a roll of honour with the names of RUC officers killed in service between 1922 to 2001.