Magherafelt DPP aims to achieve this through the following:
Monitoring and holding the PSNI to account – Having an accountable Police force was recognised as a priority in the Patten Report. Magherafelt DPP feel strongly that by making the local Police accountable to local representatives we can give people an input and thus ‘ownership’ of their Police service.
Themed Meetings – Certain sections of our community may be more susceptible to the fear of crime or be perceived as the cause of crime. To address this the DPP will be holding themed public meeting concentrating on these members of our community, such as the elderly or youth. It is important that their opinions are taken into account and that links are built.
Policing Plan Input – Magherafelt DPP worked closely with the local District Commander on setting the policing priorities for the District for the forthcoming year based on the local NISRA survey and local consultation.
Identifying Problems & Working with the Community Safety Partnership – The Magherafelt DPP’s main role is to monitor and hold the PSNI to account. Through consultation, the DPP will highlight specific areas of concern within the district to the PSNI. The local Community Safety Partnership is made up of various statutory, community and voluntary agencies that are working together to promote community safety in the district. The DPP will engage with the Magherafelt Community Safety Partnership to help develop projects to address these concerns.
Information Events – Magherafelt DPP held an information night on at the end of its first year on 30th March 2004 in the Terrace Hotel, Magherafelt. The aim was to have an engagement with statutory agencies, community and voluntary agencies, and local community groups, in order to discuss issues pertinent to them. It also provided a way for them to get to know members of their DPP. Over 100 people attended this event.