Collaboration agreements
8.—(1) If it appears to the chief constables of two or more relevant police forces that any of those forces’ functions can be discharged more effectively by constables of those forces acting jointly, they may, with the approval of the relevant police authorities for those forces, make an agreement for that purpose.
(2) If it appears to two or more relevant police authorities that any premises, equipment or other material or facilities can with advantage be provided jointly for the relevant police forces they maintain, they may make an agreement for that purpose.
(3) Any expenditure incurred under an agreement made under paragraph (1) or (2) is to be borne by the relevant police authorities in such proportions as they may agree.
(4) Failing an agreement made under paragraph (3), the expenditure incurred under an agreement made under paragraph (1) or (2) is to be borne by the relevant police authorities in such proportions as may be determined by—
(a)where the relevant police authorities include the Scottish Police Authority, the Scottish Ministers and the Secretary of State (acting jointly);
(b)in any other case, the Secretary of State.
(5) The Secretary of State may direct—
(a)the chief constable of the British Transport Police Force or the British Transport Police Authority;
(b)the chief constable of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary or the Civil Nuclear Police Authority; or
(c)the chief constable of the Ministry of Defence Police,
to seek to enter into an agreement under this article for such purposes, and on such terms, as may be specified in the direction.
(6) In this article—
“relevant police authority” means—
in relation to the Police Service of Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority;
in relation to the British Transport Police Force, the British Transport Police Authority;
in relation to the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, the Civil Nuclear Police Authority;
in relation to the Ministry of Defence Police, the Secretary of State;
“relevant police force” means—
the Police Service of Scotland;
the British Transport Police Force;
the Civil Nuclear Constabulary;
the Ministry of Defence Police.