Joint police force venture is signed off
Thames Valley and Hampshire police forces will work together in roads policing, firearms and operations support
THAMES Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary have moved a step closer to implementing their Joint Operations Unit, by signing a legal agreement.
The Joint Operations Unit will cover roads policing, firearms and operations support, which contains elements such as dogs and training.
The first element to be implemented will be the joint roads policing unit, which is expected to become operational at the end of this month (January).
Other parts of the unit will follow throughout the year, concluding with the implementation of the joint firearms unit after the Olympics Games in London.
The move towards a collaborative joint unit was agreed by both authorities in November 2010.
An interim section 23 agreement was then signed by both forces' chief constables at the end of May 2011.
Hampshire Constabulary hosts the Joint Operations Department, led by Chief Supt Chris Shead, who said: "This agreement enables formal collaboration of operational resources within Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police into a joint operations unit.
“Over the coming year, the officers and staff within firearms, roads policing, dogs and operations will work more closely together to provide a quality service to the communities across the five counties of Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and the Thames Valley.
“Much has already been achieved in terms of planning and I would like to thank all those who have been involved so far. 2012 will see further integration and development of the joint operations unit, resulting in greater efficiency and the delivery of a service that both forces can be proud of."
The agreement was signed under section 23 of the Police Act 1996.