Badge of the Royal Irish Constabulary

A County History & Genealogy Archive

The Roscommon Constabulary

The Royal Irish Constabulary in Co. Roscommon · 1820–1922

Ranks of the R.I.C.

Officer and constable ranks in order of seniority

Officer ranks

  1. Inspector General
  2. Deputy Inspector General
  3. Assistant Inspector General
  4. Commissioner
  5. County Inspector
  6. District Inspector, 1st Class
  7. District Inspector, 2nd Class
  8. District Inspector, 3rd Class

Constable ranks

  1. Head Constable
  2. Sergeant
  3. Acting Sergeant (abolished in 1918)
  4. Constable

The Inspector General

The Inspector General was appointed by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland under the power given him by the Constabulary (Ireland) Act, 1836. The Inspector General was to reside in Dublin, and was charged and invested with the general direction and superintendence of the Force. The Lord Lieutenant was also empowered to appoint from time to time, when he thought necessary, one or two fit and proper persons to be Deputies to the said Inspector General.

Read the Constabulary (Ireland) Act, 1836 (PDF)