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<p>It is the role of directly elected local Police and Crime Commissioners to propose
changes to local policing, not the Home Office. Any request from police forces to
voluntarily merge would be considered where it is supported by a robust business case
and has local consent.</p><p>It is not necessary for police forces to merge in order
to become more efficient. Existing legislation places a strong duty on Chief Constables
and Police and Crime Commissioners to collaborate in the interests of efficiency and
effectiveness. Many are demonstrating that savings can be generated through collaboration
without sacrificing local accountability and identity.</p>
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