The Police and Crime Commissioners for Norfolk and Suffolk have jointly written to the Home Secretary requesting a merger of Norfolk Constabulary and Suffolk Constabulary into a single police force serving both counties.
The proposal follows a review of future policing arrangements and builds on more than a decade of successful collaboration between the two forces.
The Commissioners believe a merged force would strengthen policing and provide a more sustainable model for the future.
They also say the move will maintain a strong focus on local communities.
Norfolk and Suffolk already share many policing functions such as specialist teams and support services as well as IT systems.
The Commissioners say this puts the two forces in a unique position to become a pathfinder area for police reform, with the aim of creating a single constabulary by 2028, subject to Government support.
Colin Sutton, Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk and Tim Passmore, Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk, said: "Our priority is, and always will be, securing the best possible policing service for the residents and businesses of Norfolk and Suffolk.
“Based on the evidence available to us, we are convinced that a single constabulary serving both counties will deliver that outcome."
The Commissioners have emphasised that no decisions have yet been made by Government and that any future changes would be subject to detailed planning and engagement.
A copy of the letter to the Home Secretary is available here: Police and Crime Commissioners' proposal for a Norfolk and Suffolk merger