Press Release

‘Time to play your part’ Local District Policing Partnership Chair urges support for DPP recruitment campaign

Wednesday 07th November 2007

The Chairman of Derry District Policing Partnership (DPP) has called on members of the public to play a part in building safer communities as Independent Members of Derry DPP.

A new recruitment campaign has been launched by the Northern Ireland Policing Board following legislation, which came into effect at the beginning of September, which requires the majority of the partnerships to be reconstituted, including Derry DPP. Applications are being sought from anyone who lives in the area or has a strong connection, such as a business in the area.

Urging people who want to play a part in the life of their community to apply, DPP Chair Alderman Joe Miller said:

“DPPs offer local people the opportunity to making their community safer by having a say on how local areas are being policed. Anyone who lives or works in the City of Londonderry or the Derry District, or has a strong connection to our area, should seriously consider putting themselves forward to become an independent member.”

The Partnerships provide an essential mechanism in linking the police with the public and helping to establish local policing priorities. Working with political colleagues DPPs have an important job to do - working with and on behalf of communities on issues of concern.

Building safer communities is everyone’s responsibility but by becoming an independent member you can play your part. It is vital that our local DPP is as representative and inclusive of our community possible - so that we can build on the work to date and ensure the policing service meets community need.

Alderman Miller added:

“With full political support for policing structures we have the opportunity to build safer communities through effective partnerships. So if you are concerned about your area and want to have a voice - get an application.”

And if you don’t want to be Member, if you have a policing concern or problem contact the DPP or come along to the next meeting on 30 January 2008 in the Broomhill Hotel

If you would like to apply to be an independent member of a DPP or a Belfast Sub-Group, visit www.districtpolicing.com ; email dpprecruitment@uk.pwc.com ; or call

(028) 9041 5200. Application forms can be provided in a range of accessible formats and candidates who require assistance will be facilitated on request.

Ends.

Notes to Editors

1 Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006

Schedule 8 to the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006 provides for the reconstitution of DPPs.

At its commencement date, 4 September 2007 - the Board was required, within 15 days, to ascertain whether each DPP met the ‘political condition’ laid down in the Act. Schedule 8 Section 20 (2)(6) of the Act states “the political condition is met in relation to a DPP if the political members of the DPP reflect, so far as practicable, the balance of the parties prevailing among the members of the council on the commencement date.”

2 The Political Condition

In determining the ‘political condition’ of each DPP, the Policing Board has found that 23 DPPs did not meet the requirement and will be reconstituted in line with the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006. They are:

Antrim DPP	Craigavon DPP	Lisburn DPP
Ards DPP	Derry DPP	Magherafelt DPP
Armagh DPP	Down DPP	Moyle
Ballymoney DPP	Dungannon and South Tyrone DPP	Newry and Mourne DPP
Belfast DPP	Fermanagh DPP	Newtownabbey DPP
Carrickfergus DPP	Larne DPP	North Down DPP
Castlereagh DPP	Limavady DPP	Omagh DPP
Cookstown DPP	Strabane DPP

DPPs that met the ‘political condition’ at this time, and will not be reconstituted are:

For more information on DPPs log onto www.districtpolicing.com

For additional information contact:

Press Office

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