The Northamptonshire police area includes Brackley, Burton Latimer, Corby, Daventry, Desborough, Higham Ferrers, Irthlingborough, Kettering, Northampton, Oundle, Raunds, Rothwell, Rushden, Towcester, Thrapston and Wellingborough across 914 square miles (2,370 km2) with a resident population of 710,000.

Known as the Peelian Principles, they describe a philosophy that define an ethical police force and include: Upon creation, Northamptonshire Constabulary initially started with seven superintendents and 35 police constables, who worked in a primitive shift system and were paid 12 shillings a week.

The chief constable is the most senior officer within Northamptonshire Police and holds command of the force.

The plan must include their objectives for policing, what resources will be provided to the Chief Constable and how performance will be measured.

Both the PCC and the Chief Constable must have regard to the Police and Crime Plan in the exercise of their duties.

The bulk of funding for the police fund comes from the Home Office in the form of an annual grant (calculated on a proportionate basis by the Home Office to take into account the differences between the 43 forces in England and Wales, which vary significantly in terms of population, geographical size, crime levels and trends), though the PCC has the authority to set a precept on the Council Tax to raise additional funds.

There are also two Justice Centres: The force is led by the chief constable, and is composed of: His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) conducts a periodic police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy (PEEL) inspection of each police service's performance.

Regulars are responsible for general policing duties and serve in a variety of operational and administrative roles within the Force, including: major crime investigations, emergency response, forensic identification, forensic collision reconstruction, bike patrol, explosives disposal and police dog services.

In law, every member of a police force is a constable whatever their actual rank, in the sense that, despite being a low-ranking or high-ranking officer, all have the same powers of arrest.

Special constables are assigned to Safer Community Teams (SCTs) and work alongside police officers and PCSOs, to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, and help improve public confidence and satisfaction.

In addition, specials support operations across the Force, carry out plain-clothed patrols, gather intelligence and execute warrants.

PCSO's work within Safer Community Teams composed of PCSO's, regular officers and special constables to undertake high visibility patrolling, tackling anti-social behaviour, dealing with minor offences, gathering criminal intelligence and supporting front-line policing.

Sprint ii was set up by the government's Crown Commercial Service in 2010 and mandated for police authority use from March 2011, but concerns were raised that costs were higher than they would be using other collaborative purchasing channels.

Adderley stated that the deployment would take approximately 18 months and cost the force around £220,000,[16] but he felt that it was justifiable, given the increase in violent attacks against officers.