P-2 radicals have been detected using resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectroscopy via the C (1) Sigma(u)(+)-X (1) Sigma(g)(+) transition. The simple structure of the origin band of this transition, which is free from significant perturbations, is amenable to straightforward simulation and thus provides an excellent route both for the detection and the characterization of ground state P-2 radicals.