Ards DPP is a nineteen strong body of local councillors and community representatives which has been established to influence local policing at a local level. The main functions of the Partnership are to:
- Provide views to the police District Commander and to the Policing Board on any matter concerning the policing of the Borough.
- Monitor the performance of the police in carrying out the Annual Policing Plan as it relates to the Borough and the local Policing Plan for the Borough.
- Make arrangements for obtaining the views of the public about matters concerning the policing of the Borough and seeking the co-operation of the public with the police in preventing crime.
- Act as a general forum for discussion and consultation on matters affecting the Borough.
As part of Ards DPP’s ongoing development, consideration was given at its early meetings to its strategic objectives and targets. In November 2003 Ards DPP adopted the following five key objectives.
- To nurture and build a strong liaison with the Community Police Liaison Committees (CPLCs) Chairpersons.
- To devise and implement a plan to raise public awareness of the Ards DPP.
- To actively engage with youth groups in the Ards DPP District.
- To provide a significant Ards DPP presence on the local Community Safety Partnership.
- To achieve a high standard of objective monitoring of policing performance in the Ards District.
In carrying out Ards DPP’s functions and with a view to meeting its stated objectives it has developed close working relationships with local Community Police Liaison Committees, local Community Safety Forums, the Ards Community Safety Partnership, church and community groups, the Police Service for Northern Ireland and other statutory and non statutory groups