Assistant Chief Constable praises DPP members

The PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Roy Toner has praised the 'courage and commitment' of members of Northern Ireland's District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) whose work has, in many cases, been carried out in the face of intimidation and threats.

Speaking at the launch of the 2004-2005 District Policing Plans for the Police Service's 29 District Command Units in the St Patrick Centre, Downpatrick today, Mr Toner said DPPs had played a fundamental part in the development of policing plans.

"With their broad mix of elected councillors and independent members, representing a wide spectrum of opinion and interest, DPPs have helped to inform the planning process of local police commanders," Mr Toner said. "They have consulted with their constituents and brought the results of those consultations to the discussion tables."

However, it had not been easy for DPP members the Assistant Chief Constable added: "Members of District Policing Partnerships have been intimidated. They and their families have been threatened, with physical injury and sometimes even with death.

"Their homes, cars and places of work have been the targets of cowardly attacks. Despite this they have stood firm. They are people of courage and commitment, unlike those who threaten and intimidate, and only seek to damage local communities."

The most recent incident saw death threats made against members of the District Policing Partnership (DPP) in Craigavon.

(MB)