How we started on the road to an alliance

Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police formally entered into a strategic alliance in March 2015. The two forces are working together to improve delivery, resilience and flexibility, as well as save money and increase efficiency in over 30 administrative and operational business areas.

This agreement follows the announcement in December 2013 from the chief officers and police and crime commissioners from Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police, when they first agreed to explore opportunities for greater collaboration.

The aim of the work was to look at how the two forces could maintain effective policing whilst also reducing costs by working more closely together.

This was consistent with the direction set nationally by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) and the Government, where neighbouring forces are encouraged to work more closely together.