The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) comprises police officers who hold the rank of Chief Constable, Deputy Chief Constable or Assistant Chief Constable and their equivalents, in the forty four forces of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, national police agencies and certain other forces. It is the voice of the police service acting as an independent, professionally led strategic body which, in partnership with Government and the APA, leads and coordinates the direction and development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Home Office is the government department responsible for leading the national effort to protect the public from terrorism, crime and anti-social behavior.  The Home Office works with chief police officers and police authorities ensure effective policing.

The IPCC's job is to make sure that complaints against the police are dealt with effectively. They set standards for the way the police handle complaints and, when something has gone wrong, help the police learn lessons and improve the way they work.

The Standards Board's main task is to ensure that standards of ethical conduct are maintained across authorities and to deal with complaints of misconduct against individual Members of the Police Authority.

The Audit Commission is an independent public body responsible for ensuring that public money is spent economically, efficiently, and effectively in the areas of local government, housing, health, criminal justice and fire and rescue services.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary promotes the efficiency and effectiveness of policing in England, Wales and Northern Ireland through the inspection of police organisations, providing advice and support to the tripartite partners (Home Secretary, police authorities and forces) and plays an important role in the development of future leaders.

Together with ACPO, APA and the Home Office the NPIA supports forces to deliver the best possible policing services to the public. It provides leadership and expertise to the service in areas such as information and communications technology, support to information and intelligence sharing, core police processes, managing change and recruiting, and developing and deploying people. 

The new Equality and Human Rights Commission (CEHR) is a Non Departmental Public Body and independent influential champion whose overarching purpose is to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people and protect human rights. The CEHR will take an active role in helping to achieve change to benefit some of the most vulnerable and least well represented people in our society.

The CEHR brings together the work of three previous Commissions, the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), Disability Rights Commission (DRC) and Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) in this new body.

Dorset Race Equality Council (REC) is a registered charity and an independent and impartial membership body.

Dorset REC uses persuasion and its powers under the law to give everyone an equal chance to live free from fear of discrimination, prejudice and racism.

The Department of Communities and Local Government are the Government department with responsibility for local government.

The LGA exists to promote better local government. It aims to work with and for member authorities to realise a shared vision of local government that enables local people to shape a distinctive and better future for their locality and its communities.

Information on Dorset's local authorities and the services they provide.

Information on Bournemouth Borough Council and the services it provides.

Information on the Borough of Poole and the services it provides.

Further information on crime and disorder reduction partnerships is available at the Home office website.