South Wales Police and Gwent Police have joined forces to create a new joint legal services function.
Operating from April 1st, the new team will be expertly placed to advise both forces on a wide variety of legal matters. The new unit will come under the lead of Mr Gareth Madge, Director of Legal Services at South Wales Police. It will be based at both force’s headquarters in Bridgend (South Wales Police) and Croesyceiliog (Gwent Police).
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 out-source 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.”
The new look legal services team will provide legal support to both forces in three distinct business areas:
Corporate Support (which covers matters such as commercial contracts and employment law);
Operational Policing (areas covered include anti social behaviour orders, sex offender orders and policing powers);
Litigation (claims against the force for matters like wrongful arrests and work place accidents).
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 added:
“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.”
The Chief Executive of South Wales Police Authority, Mr Alan Fry, and the Chief Executive of the Gwent Police Authority, Mrs 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.”
