A PARTNERSHIP between Northamptonshire Police and Cheshire Constabulary to share backroom services was launched last week.
The agreement, to share a variety of back office functions, is expected to save the two forces around £1.5 million.
Northamptonshire officers and staff now have to claim expenses and mileage and order uniform and other goods through a new system.
Other accounting and purchasing functions are also being delivered through the shared service.
Suzette Davenport, deputy chief constable for Northamptonshire Police said: “The Multi-Force Shared Service is innovative in its approach and we have worked hard with our colleagues in Cheshire to develop a system and a service to our officers and staff which is easy to use, accessible and yet significantly more efficient.”
In October, other services, including human resource functions, are due to transfer.
Ms Davenport added: “Local communities will benefit from officers who are now able to spend less time on administration and more time on the streets.
“Multi-Force Shared Service is part of our strategy to achieve the savings required by the government in the coming year, but importantly we have taken this decision, as we have decisions regarding our structure and regional collaboration, knowing that this is the right decision to make in running an efficient and effective Force which delivers value for money to local people.”