Met chief: only police officers should investigate crime Two police forces, West Midlands Police and Surrey, have invited bids from private security companies to take over the delivery of services which could include "investigating crimes," "detaining suspects" and "patrolling neighbourhoods." He said: "I think business can help us to improve our efficiency and effectiveness in some areas to provide support such as managing our fleet and our back office functions." The commissioner was asked a second question which specifically referred to the West Midlands and Surrey proposal, which is believed to have been backed by the Home Office. He responded: "In an earlier question I made clear that my determination that patrolling and investigation should be the sole duty of the public police and no one else." Privatisation of the police service has long been a contentious issue. In February it was revealed that G4S has won a £200m contract to build and run a police station on behalf of Lincolnshire police. And last year the Daily Telegraph reported that hundreds of police officers were being funded by schools, shopping centres and other private companies to carry out specific policing tasks.