(1)If it appears to the chief constables of two or more police forces that any police functions can more efficiently be discharged by constables of those forces acting jointly, they may, with the approval of the police authorities for the areas for which those forces are maintained, make an agreement for that purpose.
(2)If it appears to the police authorities for any two or more police areas that any premises, equipment or other material or facilities can with advantage be provided jointly for the police forces maintained for those areas, they make an agreement for that purpose.
(3)Any expenditure incurred under an agreement made under this section shall be borne by the police authorities in such proportions as they may agree or as may, in default of agreement, be determined by the [F1Scottish Ministers].
(4)An agreement under subsection (1) or subsection (2) of this section may be varied or determined by a subsequent agreement.
[F2(5)If it appears to the Scottish Ministers that an agreement should be made for the purposes specified in subsection (1), (2) or (4) of this section, they may, after considering any representations made by the parties concerned, direct those parties to enter into such agreement for that purpose as may be specified in the directions.
(6)For the purposes of this section—
(a)the British Transport Police Force shall be treated as if it were a police force;
(b)“police functions” shall include the functions of the British Transport Police Force;
(c)the British Transport Police Committee shall be treated as if it were the police authority maintaining that Force for the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) of this section and the Strategic Rail Authority shall be so treated for the purposes of subsection (3) of this section; and
(d)“police area”, in relation to the British Transport Police Force and the British Transport Police Committee, means those places where members of the British Transport Police Force have the powers, protection and privileges of a constable under section 53(4) of the British Transport Commission Act 1949 (c. xxix).
(7)In relation to agreements relating to the British Transport Police Force, any determination under subsection (3) shall be made, and any directions under subsection (5) shall be given, by the Scottish Ministers and the Secretary of State, acting jointly.]
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 12(3) substituted (7.1.2002) by 2001 c. 24, s. 101, Sch. 7 para. 3(2); S.I. 2001/4104, art. 2(d)
F2S. 12(5)-(7) substituted (7.1.2002) for s. 12(5) by 2001 c. 24, s. 101, Sch. 7 para. 3(3); S.I. 2001/4104, art. 2(d)