Staffordshire Police could share some specialist teams with the neighbouring West Midlands Police to save money, the force’s top officer has revealed.

But Chief Constable Mike Cunningham insisted that increased collaboration is not the first step to a merger of the forces.

He said dog handling and firearms units could be shared, though the two forces would keep their separate identities.

The forces are to share some back office functions as they both cope with big cuts in funding.

The Staffordshire force aims to save £22 million in two years through restructuring and has made £11m of savings already. Mr Cunningham said the pace of collaboration arrangements was “accelerating.”

“If we can get IT convergence then many other collaborations fall into place far more easily,” he added.

“We are looking at closer work in areas like dog handlers and firearms and the scope to share specialised operations in the same way we already do with motorway resources and air support.”

He hopes to maintain reductions in crime levels despite Staffordshire losing 85 officers in the current financial year.

There will be no recruitment this year. Officers who have completed 30 years service are being forced to retire from November.