Part I Organisation of Police Forces
General provisions
11 Aid of one police force by another.
1
If it appears to the chief constable of a police force that the resources of the force are insufficient to meet any particular circumstances he may apply for assistance to the chief constable of any other police force, who may thereupon arrange for such assistance to be given from the resources of that other force as in his opinion the circumstances of that other force permit.
2
If it appears to the F1appropriate Minister or Ministers to be expedient in the interests of public safety or order that any police force should be reinforced or should receive other assistance for the purpose of enabling it to meet any special demand on its resources, and that satisfactory arrangements under subsection (1) of this section cannot be made, or cannot be made in time, he F1or they may direct the chief constable of any police force to provide such constables or other assistance for that purpose as may be specified in the directions.
3
A copy of any directions given to the chief constable of any police force under subsection (2) of this section shall be sent to the police authority for the area for which that force is maintained and shall be binding on them so far as it affects their functions in relation to that force.
4
The cost of any assistance given under any of the foregoing provisions of this section from the resources of a police force shall be divided between the police authorities concerned in such manner as may be agreed between them, or, in default of such agreement, as may be provided by any agreement subsisting at the time between all police authorities generally, or, in default of any agreement, as may be directed by the F2appropriate Ministers.
F35
This section shall apply in relation to the Strategic Rail Authority and the British Transport Police Force as it applies to a police authority and a police force respectively.
6
In subsection (2) “appropriate Minister or Ministers” means—
a
in relation to a direction given to the Chief Constable of the British Transport Police Force, the Secretary of State, and
b
in any other case, the Scottish Ministers.
7
In subsection (4) “appropriate Ministers” means—
a
where the police authorities concerned include the Strategic Rail Authority, the Scottish Ministers and the Secretary of State, acting jointly, and
b
in any other case, the Scottish Ministers.