District Policing Partnership (DPP) members are those members of the public who can demonstrate an interest in their local community, community safety or community policing issues.  This can be gained either through employment or participation in the community voluntary sector.

A DPP is a meaningful partnership between the district council, councillors and representatives of the local community for the purpose of monitoring the effectiveness of policing in that area.  Also, the DPP will act as a forum for discussion and consultation on matters affecting the policing of the district, which it is responsible for.  This will include, for example, the prioritisation of policing issues on behalf of local people.

The strength of a DPP should emanate from the fact that it provides a unique opportunity for local people to shape local policing.  The DPP should also be viewed as a mechanism for facilitating dialogue between the police and the local community.