A search began today for over 200 members of the public who want to have a say in shaping policing in their local areas of Northern Ireland.
The Policing Board is looking for independent members of District Policing Partnerships (DPP)
to replace those appointed in 2003 and whose term runs out at the end of the year.
The independent members will work with political representatives on the DPPs; there is one for each of the 26 council areas except Belfast, which has four sub-groups of the main DPP.
As the recruitment campaign began, the Policing Board chairman, Sir Desmond Rea, said it was an opportunity for anyone interested in making a positive contribution to their local community to get involved and play an important role in shaping local policing.
Sir Desmond said: "By applying to join DPPs people will be sending out a clear message that they want a safer society and are prepared to accept their civic responsibility to do something about it.
"I trust that people from all backgrounds and walks of life will come forward - and build on the successes to date."
Advertisements will be appearing in local papers over the next fortnight, with the recruitment process managed independently by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Annual allowances payable to DPP members are: chairman £4,800; deputy chairman, £3,600; and member, £2,400. In Belfast, the allowance is: chairman £8,400; deputy chairman £6,300; chairman of sub-group £4,700 deputy chairman of sub-group £4,500; member £4,200.
PA