Format of Meetings in Public
Newry and Mourne DPP will hold four Meetings in Public per year. The meetings are held in venues throughout the District to ensure that they are accessible to all, and as inclusive as possible. The meetings begin with the Chair of the DPP Cllr. William Burns inviting the DPP members to intoduce themselves to the public. Then the business of the meeting gets underway, with the District Commander presenting his quarterly report.
In addition to the four Meetings in Public the DPP will also hold 2 Forums for Discussion.
District Commander's Report
This report details the type and number of crimes which have occurred in the District over the previous 3 months. The crimes reported on include, domestic burglary, violent crime and offences against the person,criminal damage,vehicle crime, and information on road traffic accidents.
The District Commander will also report on those community safety issues the PSNI have been involved in locally, and the impact these initiatives are having, in reducing crime and the fear of crime.
Questions from DPP members
DPP members then have the opportunity to question and challenge the District Commander on his report, and if targets which have been set by the PSNI which are included in the local policing plan that are not being met the District Commander has to explain why.
Questions from Members of the Public
Written questions from members of the public will then be answered by the District Commander
Questions from the Floor
The final section of the meeting gives members of the public the opportunity to directly ask the District Commander questions. This part of the meeting normally reflects the local community's concerns,about policing problems affecting them at that time. This part of the meeting is very successful,and often opens a debate with the public, DPP members, and the police on local policing issues.