Gwent Police has merged its legal department with neighbouring force South Wales Police to save cash.
The new legal unit, which came into force last week, has come under the lead of Gareth Madge, Director of Legal Services at South Wales Police.
It will be based at South Wales Police’s headquarters in Bridgend and Gwent Police’s Croesyceiliog base.
Mr Madge explained: “In 2008, a review of Gwent Police’s Legal Services function was completed.
“The review recommended the appointment of additional lawyers and staff. This would increase its in-house capacity and result in savings through reducing the need to outsource work.
“The review also concluded that these benefits could be further enhanced by entering into collaboration with South Wales Police to create a joint unit thus providing additional expertise and resilience to both forces.”
While not mentioning any exact figures, a report to the Gwent Police Authority last month stated the cost of outsourcing legal work to the force in 2007/08 was more than the £1 million annual cost of the new combined unit.
It also stated there would be no job cuts.
The new look legal services team will provide legal support to both forces in corporate law, operational policing and litigation claims against either force.
In addition advice and guidance on legal matters will be provided to both police authorities.
In a joint statement, the Chief Constable of Gwent Police, Mr Mick Giannassi and the Chief Constable of South Wales Police, Mr Peter Vaughan said: “This is a great example of two Welsh police forces collaborating and, in doing so, business benefits will be delivered to both.
“It forms part of the broader Welsh Police Collaboration Programme as set out in the National Policing Plan for Wales as well as echoing Home Office policy.
“In particular, this is an exciting and positive development in the collaborative relationship between South Wales Police and Gwent Police and our respective Police Authorities and will enable the joint unit to provide the best legal support for the policing of our communities.”
Alan Fry, the chief executive of South Wales Police Authority and his Gwent counterpart Shelley Bosson said: “Both police authorities fully support their respective Chief Constables in this initiative as we are committed to ensuring the most cost effective delivery of all aspects of our policing services at a time when budgets are being squeezed.”