Martyn Underhill, Dorset's police and crime commissioner, last week revealed he had already held talks with a possible sponsor as part of a plan being considered for all five forces in the South West. However, the proposals, which Mr Underhill said would help the force cope with "austere times with a shrinking budget and workforce", met with a decidedly mixed response.
Devon and Cornwall police commissioner Tony Hogg said it was an "interesting" idea and that he was "open-minded enough to consider any ideas that might help to bring extra resources into the force". However, the local branch of the Police Federation, which represents constables, sergeant and inspectors, described it as "a dangerous path to go down".
Mr Sawyer told the Western Morning News: "I support the need to consider all options at a time when budgets are tight, however I remain to be convinced that sponsorship is the best way forward.
"I fully support the police and crime commissioner and the fresh perspective that he is bringing to issues such as this. I also agree that the commissioner should discuss with the community issues such as sponsorship.
"However, personally I have reservations about how this step would be perceived by the public, particularly when considering how such decisions can play out with regard to the confidence of the public in their police service."
Police budgets were cut by up to 20% to 2015 as part of the Government's spending review.
The Devon and Cornwall force faces making £50 million worth of cuts in four years – leading to the loss of some 500 officers from a high of 3,500.
Current guidelines mean sponsorship would be limited to 1% – or £2.8 million – of Devon and Cornwall's total budget. In Dorset, it could add £1 million to revenue and £3 million in Avon and Somerset Police.
Mr Underhill, whose announcement is said to have caught all five chief constables unaware, said there was "huge potential benefit" from sponsorship.
He said: "I need to be clear that we are looking for longer-term business support, rather than one-off sponsorships. This will help us to plan and sustain projects that might otherwise not have been possible due to the ongoing financial constraints.
"I also need to stress that neither myself as police and crime commissioner for Dorset, nor the force, will ever allow operational functions to become dependent on, or to be influenced by, sponsorship agreements."
He met a possible sponsor at a crime reduction event and has asked for the issue to be discussed at the next regional commissioners and chief constables meeting.
Kevin Phillips, chairman of the Avon and Somerset branch of the Police Federation, said the sponsorship had been looked at by the force but dismissed. "Once you start entering into sponsorships deals you start losing the independence of the police," he said. "Whilst I appreciate everybody is losing money and having to cut back, I still think it would be absolutely wrong if we start entering into sponsorship with private companies for the police service – this is privatisation through the back door."
