This in from the Police, in their own words. Ed
Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police have moved a step closer to the implementation of their Joint Operations Unit by signing a legal agreement under section 23 of the Police Act 1996, which covers how the two forces will work together.
The Joint Operations unit will cover Roads Policing, Firearms and Operations Support, which contains elements such as dogs and training.
Joint Roads Policing unit first
The first element to be implemented will be the Joint Roads Policing Unit, expected to become operational at the end of January 2012.
Other parts of the joint unit will follow, concluding with the implementation of the joint Firearms unit after the Olympics in 2012.
The move towards a collaborative joint unit was agreed by both Thames Valley and Hampshire police authorities in November 2010. An interim section 23 agreement was signed by both forces’ chief constables at the end of May 2011.
Enabling formal collaboration
Hampshire Constabulary hosts the Joint Operations Department, led by Chief Superintendent Chris Shead.
He said: “This agreement enables formal collaboration of operational resources within Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police into a Joint operations Unit (JOU).
“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 JOU, resulting in greater efficiency and the delivery of a service that both forces can be proud of.”
