29.This section places each district council in Northern Ireland under a duty to establish a district policing partnership for its council area and gives effect to Schedule 3 which governs how partnerships should be established, including size and composition, and sets out certain procedural issues.
30.The effect is to provide for the establishment of up to 26 district policing partnerships.  Under paragraph 16 of Schedule 3 the Secretary of State may, by order, provide, with the agreement of the Board and any council affected by the order, that 2 or more district councils can form a joint partnership.
Commentary Part Iii: District and Community Policing Arrangements Section 14: Establishment of District Policing Partnerships