Should both police forces join together to become one?
What do you think?
Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Police have been working together sharing resources (for example: police dogs, armed response officers and offices) since 2015. This joint working is called an alliance.
Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Police work in the same way. They think the same issues are important, have similar plans to work from and have strong links with their local communities.
In September 2017 the two chief constables for the forces announced plans suggesting how the alliance could grow and improve. They suggested permanently merging (joining together) both forces to become one.
Alison Hernandez and Martyn Underhill are the two police and crime commissioners. They want to know what you think about this merger as your views and thoughts are important in shaping what happens next.
They will be talking to people over the summer about the merger.
Why a merger could work
1. By working closely together and making the most of sharing all of their resources a merger could:
- Help improve funding for local and neighbourhood policing
- Protect local communities better
- Improve the service the public gets
2. One force would continue to save money by merging (joining together) better than two forces just working together.
3. A merger between Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Police would create the fifth biggest force in the country.
Alison Hernandez and Martyn Underhill feel this would give our police and the public a stronger voice.
Extra things to think about:
Working together could be the best way to meet the challenge of new threats and issues; both now and in the future.
There would be only one chief constable, one police and crime commissioner, one police and crime plan and one mission (way of working) therefore saving money.
Each county would have its own headquarters providing higher visibility and accountability.
A quarter of the staff for Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Police already work together.
Accountability = being held responsible for your plans and actions; doing what you said you would
Alliance = working together in a close way
Merger = joining two things together to become one
Visibility = how easily something is seen
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