A deal that will see Warwickshire have to pay £2m a year to West Midlands Police to provide them with forensic services, has been signed by the respective Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables for the two forces.
Warwickshire will also pay £779,000 in one off costs. West Midlands Police will provide forensic services to Warwickshire Police, giving Warwickshire access to the West Midlands force’s cutting-edge technology.
Commenting on the new agreement, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: “This will ensure that the people of Warwickshire get a best in class forensics service. Some people might call this a bail out; the reality is that Warwickshire are valued collaboration partners. “It is unfortunate that Warwickshire has found itself in this position, but I am pleased that we have been able to help. We are ensuring that Warwickshire Police has a sustainable future following the collapse of its alliance with West Mercia.
“Most importantly,” added Mr Jamieson “the service we are providing will not financially disadvantage the West Midlands in any way, and gives our forensic service some additional resilience. This is a good deal for the people of the West Midlands.”
Background
Speaking in 2020 about collaboration with West Midlands Police more broadly, Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe said, ‘it is clear to us that West Midlands has the best solution with the investment that has been made in delivering effective services.
‘They are a well-led, crime fighting force that has showcased the way in which cutting-edge technology can deliver major efficiencies resulting in a more effective service to the public’.
Also “This agreement represents a real opportunity for Warwickshire to take advantage of the best in class services delivered by West Midlands Police and is an important part of our programme to deliver a sustainable future for Warwickshire Police’
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner agrees to provide services for Warwickshire Police to provide a sustainable future for the force
From September 2021 Warwickshire Police receive the following capabilities from West Midlands Police:
Forensic Investigation Resource & Submissions Team (FIRST)
Major Crime Scene Management & Coordination
Major Crime Laboratory Fingerprint Bureau Fingerprint Development Laboratory Digital Forensics Drugs Expert Witnesses Warwickshire Police will retain and continue to pay costs for the Forensic Scene Investigation (FSI) ‘hub’ and Forensic Scene Investigators (FSIs) / Scenes of Crime Officers at Bedworth, which will be controlled and directed by West Midlands Police as part of the overall service delivery model.
Warwickshire Police will also fund West Midlands Police on a ‘pay per unit’ basis to provide a small number of bespoke forensic services. The working arrangements with West Midlands Police will allow Warwickshire Police to leverage commercial and strategic relationships, namely contracts with forensic service providers and the strategic partnership with the Warwick Manufacturing Group (Warwick University). Warwickshire Police will also benefit from the assurance that all examinations completed at West Midlands Police Forensics ‘central’ site will be accredited in accordance with ISO 17025.
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