 After leaving the Royal Navy Torrens-Spence was appointed as the Commandant of the Ulster Special Constabulary (the "B" Specials) in County Armagh.When the Specials were disbanded in 1970 and replaced by the Ulster Defence Regiment, Torrens-Spence took control of the County Armagh Battalion (2 UDR), as a lieutenant colonel, to get it up and running.He retired in 1972.