The format of the meetings in public is very simple. The District Commander presents his update report to the DPP on the policing of the Borough over the previous 2 month period. Following his presentation members of the DPP may question him on any issues relating to the report and to the policing of the Borough in general. On a 6 month and annual basis the District Commander will also present a more substantial report to the DPP tracking the performance of the local PSNI against the targets and objectives within the policing plan.
Castlereagh DPP has developed their meetings in public to allow an open session for the public to ask questions, through the chairperson of the DPP to the District Commander. This means that any member of the public can ask a question to the DPP or District Commander either in writing prior to the meeting or verbally at the meeting in public. The only restriction is that these questions must be relevant to the policing of the Borough. If the District Commander is unable to fully answer these questions he will be required to respond to the individual and to the DPP in writing following the meeting. The District Commander will not answer questions which may have an impact on the personal security of any individual or which is related to a matter of ongoing investigation.
On some occasions the public meeting may also be used to deliver presentations. In the past the DPP has received presentations on the Smartwater Scheme, PSNI Drugs Squad, the work of the Police Ombudsman and the Crimestoppers initiative.