The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is an independent, professionally led strategic body. In the public interest and, in equal and active partnership with Government and the Association of Police Authorities, ACPO leads and coordinates the direction and development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In times of national need ACPO, on behalf of all chief officers, coordinates the strategic policing response.

The Association supports the philosophy of strong local policing, and believes that must be maintained within the tripartite framework of policing which brings together the local Chief Constable, the local Police Authority and the Home Secretary.

But the nature of modern crime, with an increasingly international dimension, and the ever present need to use public resources to best effect, places a voluntary duty on forces to work together, employing common policies, strategies and methods wherever possible.