District Policing Partnerships have been designated as ‘public authorities’ under provisions contained in the Commission for Complaints (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 as amended by the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 and are therefore subject to the requirements of Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (‘the Act’) requires the Derry District Policing Partnership in carrying out all its functions, powers and duties to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity:
- between persons of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status or sexual orientation;
- between men and women generally;
- between persons with a disability and persons without; and
- between persons with dependants and persons without.
Derry District Policing Partnership will hold meetings in public in accessible venues and will change the times and venues of meetings to maximise the opportunity for public participation, and encourage the attendance of under represented groups.
Permitted numbers at any meeting will not exceed that specified by health and safety regulations for the premises. At all meetings, those attending will be requested ‘not to smoke’ and to switch ‘mobile phones to silent mode’.
Derry District Policing Partnership will aim to promote meetings as widely as possible.