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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 HMIC operates a five yearly inspection cycle, starting with a primary inspection, comprising a comprehensive examination of all aspects of force activity at a more strategic level with subsequent field work focusing on areas of business which attract particular attention due to performance levels, variations from common practice or concerns identified about the approaches followed. The process also seeks to identify good practice from which other forces or common services could learn. The primary inspection is followed by two review inspections at 18-month intervals. These focus on:
- Progress against the recommendations made in the preceding primary inspection.
- Progress on the suggestions identified in the preceding primary inspection.
- Progress against the recommendations made in recent thematic inspections.
- Items nominated by the force regarding their current position and issues seen by the force as representing significant challenges in the future.
- National developments in policing.
- Events or developments relevant to the particular force as identified through the environmental scanning process by HMIC Knowledge Management Unit.
- Outcomes of the force's self-assessment and internal inspection work.
- Outcomes of other external scrutiny, for example PNC Audit, HSE Inspections, Audit Scotland studies and audits and CRE reports.
- Review of performance information - leading to a risk assessment led focus on any area seen as under-performing.
1.2 HMIC methodology for review inspections involves the preparation of an appropriate set of questions to address the issues selected from the list shown in paragraph 1.1. This will provide a structured and relevant examination of the organisation and ensures the inspection will be evidenced based.
1.3 This Review Inspection will include the force's response to the recommendations and suggestions made in the Primary Inspection Report of Tayside Police in 2002, which were not discharged in the first Review of Tayside Police in 2004. HMIC recognises that the recommendations need to be carefully considered by the Force, often have resource implications and may need to be approached in a phased and prioritised way.
1.4 A force may choose not to follow or adopt an HMIC recommendation and set out an argued case for not doing so. In turn, HMIC may comment on this but the debate is a public one for the Police Authority, Ministers and wider public to take a view.
1.5 This Review, which is made public through the Police Authority and the HMIC website, is a part of the transparency and accountability process of a Police Force.
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