Roles and Responsibilites
The role of a DPP is to consult with the community, establish in conjunction with the District Commander policing priorities and monitor police performance against the local policing plan. Full details of this can be found in Section 16 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000. Information on how a DPP will carry out its duties is contained in the draft Code of Practice (pdf 289 KB) on the functions and responsibilities of the DPP issued by the Northern Ireland Policing Board.
In summary, the main responsibilities of the DPP are to:
- Provide views to the District Commander on any matter concerning the policing of the district.
- Monitor the performance of the police in carrying out the policing plan.
- Make arrangements for getting the views of the public on matters concerning the policing of the district and gaining their co-operation with the police in preventing crime.
- Act as a general forum for discussion and consultation on matters affecting the policing of the district.
DPPs must submit an annual report on how they have exercised their functions during that year, to the council. A copy of the annual report will also be sent to the Policing Board. The Policing Board may also ask the DPP to report on any other matter connected with the DPPs functions.
Additionally, the DPP must provide the Policing Board with reports on:
- The proceedings of the public meetings of the DPP;
- Audited accounts;
- The outcome of the public consultation;
- The strategy developed for gaining the co-operation of the public in preventing crime;
- Any aspect of their work where the Policing Board requires further information.
The district commander will consult the DPP in setting targets for the local policing plan. The DPP may make arrangements to help the police consult any local community within the district.
