Cheshire Police Authority and Northamptonshire Police Authority have agreed to share a number of non-frontline services as a way of saving money and delivering more efficient working.
A Shared Service, based at Cheshire Constabulary's headquarters in Winsford, will be created to provide aspects of human resources, finance and procurement support for both forces.
Margaret Ollerenshaw, Chairman of Cheshire Police Authority, said: "Today is a milestone in the history of both police authorities and forces and the Police Authority considered this matter in great detail before agreeing to move forward with Northamptonshire.
"We face tough financial challenges and over four years and are having to identify over £34 million of savings from the policing budget in Cheshire. Our responsibility is to ensure the Constabulary prioritises frontline services and wherever possible, identifies opportunities to make savings in other areas The proposals agreed today mean that a number of 'back office' functions can be delivered at a significantly reduced cost – essential if we are to balance the budget in the months and years ahead."
"Cheshire Police Authority has already made savings of almost £12m and has strong plans in place to deliver a further £12m this year. By carefully targeting the savings and developing new ways of working, the Constabulary has maintained and – in some areas – improved operational performance despite the reductions in funding. Alongside shared services the Force is also looking to make substantial savings by collaborating with other forces in the North West, by sharing facilities wherever possible with other public bodies, by cutting bureaucracy and changing the way we work. "
Chief Constable David Whatton said: "This is a great opportunity to deliver improved support service s to operational police officers and, at the same time, reduce costs in a way that doesn't take police officers and staff away from serving the community."
"I recognise the impact that the new shared support with Northamptonshire will have on some of the men and women who have given many years of loyal support to the Constabulary. Inevitably, this means there will be fewer people delivering our support services, but this will not detract from our desire to make Cheshire an ever safer place to live and work."
