The legislative status for DPPs is to be found in the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 and the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 (as amended). The general functions of a District Policing Partnership is defined in Section 16 of the Police (NI) Act 2000.
They are as follows:
(a) to provide views to the district commander for any police district which is, or is included in, the district and to the Board on any matter concerning the policing of the district;
(b) to monitor the performance of the police in carrying out:
(i) the policing plan in relation to the district; and
(ii) the local policing plan applying to the district or any part of the district
(c) to make arrangements for obtaining:
(i) the views of the public about matters concerning the policing of the district; and
(ii) the co-operation of the public with the police in preventing crime
(d) to act as a general forum for discussion and consultation on matters affecting the policing of the district; and such other functions as are conferred on it by any other statutory provision.
In essence, a District Policing Partnership has an "explanatory, consultative and monitoring" role on behalf of the community to ensure that local policing reflects local needs.