(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for requiring the police force to use specified facilities, equipment or services, or facilities, equipment or services of a specified description, if he considers that it would be in the interests of the efficiency or effectiveness of the police force for it to do so.
(2)Before making any regulations under this section, the Secretary of State shall consult—
(a)the Police Authority;
(b)the Chief Constable; and
(c)the Police Association.
(3)Before making any regulations under this section relating to information technology, the Secretary of State shall consult the Police Information Technology Organisation.
(4)In subsection (3) “information technology” includes any computer or other technology by means of which information or other matter may be recorded or communicated without being reduced to documentary form.