David (Dave) Hanna, who died on January 21st aged 57, was the chief information officer of the RUC and had served in the force's press office for 26 years. He was a guarded, careful man whose innate qualities enabled him to help steer the six chief constables he served through the Northern Ireland propaganda minefield.
He despaired equally of reckless spin-doctoring and sensational journalism. As a former newspaperman, he was all too aware of the potentially damaging effect an unguarded titbit or unchecked fact could have for the credibility and historically controversial reputation of the RUC, exposed as it was to the unremitting scrutiny of the local, national and international media; governments and politicians; the courts; a gallery of watch-dog groups, and the community at large.
Sometimes his reticence and caution infuriated reporters and photographers struggling to meet deadlines. There were emphatically no favours, even for those he knew best, but all respected his integrity. Any harsh words uttered in the heat of the moment were promptly excised and relationships repaired, usually over a convivial drink in his office. However tough the going or the pressure, he always retained his composure and good humour. Politely and patiently, as he was doing when he fatally collapsed at his desk, he explained the complexities of the Northern Ireland situation and the role of the RUC to people from all over the world who sought him out, frequently by word-of-mouth recommendation, for his openness and accountability.
Over his years at RUC headquarters before becoming chief information officer in 1995, he had earned the trust, respect and confidence of police commanders throughout Northern Ireland, spearheading and serving the RUC's information needs. Apart from making its case to often sceptical visitors, he wrote speeches on behalf of senior officers; addressed conferences and training seminars, and devised public information campaigns to communicate RUC strategy on drugs, crime prevention and the enforcement of driving laws to the public.
For many years he scripted the police crime appeal programme for Ulster Television and wrote and presented a similar insert for Downtown Radio. He was also involved in the production of international award-winning advertising campaigns designed to present an anti-violence message to the community and to seek its co-operation through use of the confidential telephone.
On one occasion, while filming the starkly realistic commercials at night, a member of the public raised the alarm and caused the police to mount a major security operation to apprehend a cadre of apparent kneecappers and their victim.
Dave Hanna, who had left his identity card behind, was forced into lengthy explanation to assure the officers about the real purpose of the exercise.
The son of a journalist, he was born in Derry in 1942 and spent peripatetic years in various parts of Britain.
At the age of 16 he returned to his native Derry and his first journalistic job on the Derry Standard. However, with digs costing £2-10s sterling against wages of just £2-11-6 he was soon forced back to the parental abode and a job on the local Kentish Mercury as the district reporter for parts of south London.
He again returned to Northern Ireland in the 1960s, working on the Belfast Telegraph and other titles before joining the RUC in 1974 at the height of the Troubles.
He is survived by his wife Heather, daughter Lesley Ann, and son Gareth.
David Miller Hanna: born 1942; died January, 2000.