THE CHAIRMAN of Strabane District Policing Partnership has staunch defended the body after calls for complete disbandment.
In response to suggestions that DPPs are merely a 'talking shop,' he said, "We're not here to hold hands with the police, we're there to make sure they do their job. The police are getting paid to do a job, and if they're not doing that then we'll be the first to tell them so."
Eugene McMenamin came out in defence of DPPs in Strabane following a scathing attack on their feasibility by Banbridge DUP councillor, Jim McElroy. He has urged the newly-elected Assembly to abolish the 26 DPP's, and instead of spending money on them that the money could be better spent on new officers instead.
A former DPP member himself, McElroy said, "When I was on the DPP I was running to meetings every week and they were useless- lie a Sunday school party and they did nothing for the community."
In response, SDLP councillor Eugene McMenamin said, "In relation to the comments from the Banbridge councillor, I really don't know the reason for him saying what he did, maybe it's a personality issue or something. I can only comment from my own perspective on our work here in Strabane, and that is that it's very very worthwhile. The DPP have been a tremendous asset in bringing normality back to the streets. It gives everyone an opportunity to put their views forward on what should be happening in their local community regarding policing."
He continued, "In the last few weeks, we have submitted a plan for policing in Strabane which encompassed disorderly behaviour, underage drinking, and all other matters which are affecting people on the streets and on the ground in Strabane and the rest of the district. It outlines what the police should be doing, regarding patrols and other areas that bring normality to the area.
"The police have taken these requests on board, and have formulated a plan for policing in Strabane for the next 12 months. We can then scrutinise the police actions, and that's basically what the DPP are there for."
Despite the positive moves made by the DPP, the chairman expressed his disappointment and frustration at the lack of community involvement currently being received by the local DPP, with little or no public attendance at open meetings.
He said, "We do have a monthly meeting, open to the public, for members of the public to come along and air their views. Unfortunately, by and large the public have not done this and the attendance is very poor. That's disappointing.
"But looking at it another way, maybe it's a positive thing in that maybe it shows that the majority of people are quite happy now with the way policing is going.
"I'd like to see a time when any member of the public can approach the police if they have a problem, openly, on the main street in Strabane. And I don't think we're that far away from that situation. We have a new young police force coming online who are fully trained in the modern way of policing, and I want to see a time when people don't feel intimidated or afraid."
McMenamin also stressed that there are a number of ongoing DPP projects of which the public may not be aware, but that he says are providing an invaluable service to the community. Despite a limited amount of finance at their disposal, the chairman says that great strides are being made.
"We only have a budget of £5000 for spending on projects, which really isn't a lot so we try and use it wisely. One of the things we did spend our money on recently, which most people would have seen, was the large illuminated sign on the A5 to Derry around the time of the North-West 200, urging people to slow down and to drive safely. That cost us quite a bit of money to do but to me, those projects are very worthwhile.
"There's a heck of a lot of things that go on behind the scenes that people are often not aware of when they criticise the DPP. A lot of good work has been going on day in, day out that people may not know about. These are community-based projects, such as last week when we were involved with "Message in a bottle," a support scheme for the elderly."
In response to reports last week of heavy handed tactics by police in Strabane, McMenamin was keen to stress that the DPP will hold the police accountable for their actions, ensuring that the full processes introduced by the Patton proposals are properly implemented to create an accountable police force.
"I have no time at all for any sort of heavy-handedness by the police against any individual or individuals. We're not there to hold hands with the police, we're there to make sure they do their job. The police are getting paid to do a job, and if they're not doing that then we'll be the first to tell them so.
"There is no way that I as an individual would in any way condone any sort of heavy handed tactics, and I've always maintained that everyone should be treated equally and fairly. Let's remember that the DPP's were formulated as part of the Patton proposals, and we are told that the PSNI here are the most scrutinised police force in the world. The avenue for anyone to go through is the police ombudsman, that's what they're there for," he said.
This week, the DPP in Strabane confirmed that despite their high budget, only a quarter of this comes from the local council. They also reported very positive feedback from local people when questioned on their views on the local District Policing Partnership.
They said, "In our most recent customer feedback survey, 81% of respondents stated that it was important to have "local people shaping local policing" and 72% of respondents said that they would be willing to contact Strabane DPP if they had an issue regarding policing and crime in the district.
"The gross budgeted cost of Strabane DPP for 2007/2008 is £149,500 - 75% of which is funded by the Northern Ireland Policing Board, therefore the net budgeted cost to Strabane District Council is £37,375."
