The Scottish Government

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Listen

"Many young people make a positive contribution to their community but there is a relatively small hard core of mainly young males who feature disproportionably as perpetrators of low level offences including disorder, assault and vandalism"

Introduction

Role of the Inspectorate

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary ( HMIC) is a statutory body established under the terms of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967, as amended. The primary function of HMIC is to promote efficiency and effectiveness in the forces and organisations that make up the Scottish police service. Other functions include the provision of advice to Scottish Ministers and the examination of the manner in which forces deal with complaints against the police.

Promotion of efficiency and effectiveness in respect of the standards of the police service in Scotland is sought by inspection, advice and assistance to forces and police organisations; providing professional advice on policing matters and submission of an annual report to Scottish Ministers; discharge of functions in relation to the examination of complaints against the police; and identification and promotion of effective working practices.

In the discharge of these functions HMIC inspects the police forces and police organisations discharging policing responsibilities within Scotland:

• Central Scotland Police
• Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary
• Fife Constabulary
• Grampian Police
• Lothian and Borders Police
• Northern Constabulary
• Strathclyde Police
• Tayside Police
• Scottish Police College*
• Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency*
• Scottish Criminal Record Office*; and
• Scottish Police Information Strategy*.

(*The SPC, SDEA/ SCDEA, SCRO and SPIS will come under the new Scottish Police Services Authority brought into being by the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006) with effect from 1 April 2007.)

HMIC also inspects other police organisations together with colleagues from England and Wales e.g. British Transport Police ( BTP), Civic Nuclear Constabulary ( CNC) and the Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency ( MOD).

Thematic inspections are also conducted on topics of current relevance.

There is very considerable public, media and political interest in the police service. Police forces are continuously called to account for their activity and are subject to intense scrutiny in relation to specific operations. HMIC has a crucial role to play by critically analysing force performance, assessing effectiveness and good practice in a context of Best Value. In so doing, HMIC must report in a way that meets the statutory duty but also informs the public on the quality and style of policing in Scotland. In order to ensure HMIC is fully aware of national developments, close links are maintained with HMIC England and Wales as well as other relevant agencies.

HMIC operates independently of the police service and Scottish Ministers, although Ministers can call upon the Inspectorate to undertake particular pieces of work.

As with the appointment of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, the appointment of Her Majesty's Lay Inspector of Constabulary is by Royal Warrant. The Lay Inspector, an individual who does not have a police background and fulfils a part time position, aims to ensure that the views and concerns of the general public are represented. The Lay Inspector is actively involved in inspections and focuses attention on the interface between the police and the public.

The Lay Inspector has a specific role in the examination of complaints received by HMIC from dissatisfied complainers and also examines complaint files during force inspections.

Continuous Improvement/Internal Inspection

Inspection of policing services is the cornerstone of HMIC activity. HMIC seeks to identify continuous improvement in forces and other police organisations inspected, contribute to that process and disseminate any good practice identified during inspections.

Thematic Inspections

HMIC conducts thematic inspections on matters of significant importance to policing in Scotland. The topics for thematic inspections are identified following consultation with both the police service in Scotland and the Scottish Executive.

Thematic inspections will normally be led by the Assistant Inspector of Constabulary assisted by HM Lay Inspector, and if appropriate, other specialist adviser(s), under the direction of HMCIC. Thematic inspections are usually staffed by officers seconded from Scottish forces with the support of ACPOS.

Publication of Reports

HMIC reports are submitted to the Scottish Ministers. Following growing public interest in police efficiency and effectiveness, and in line with HMIC's commitment to openness, all HMIC reports are published on the HMIC website - www.scotland.gov.uk/hmic

Since the period of the last annual report 2004-2005 the following HMIC reports have been published:

• Scottish Police College - Second Review published May 2005
• Grampian Police Second Review published August 2005
• Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary Second Review published August 2005
• Thematic - 'Managing Improvement' published September 2005
• Northern Constabulary - Primary published September 2005
• Thematic - 'Meeting the Standard' published October 2005
• Central Scotland Police First Review published December 2005
• Thematic - 'Case Study' published August 2006
• Tayside Police First Review published March 2006
• Fife Constabulary - Primary published March 2006.

In addition HMIC contributed to a Joint Thematic inspection with HMIC England and Wales on call handling 'First Contact' and the Scottish aspects of inspection work on HMRC.

The following inspections are planned to take place during the current fiscal year 2006/2007:

• contribute to Joint Scrutiny of Children's Services - a joint inspection in partnership with HMIe
• contribute to a pilot joint inspection of services for people with learning disabilities - a joint inspection with SWIA, HMIe and QHIS - May 2006
• complete the Strathclyde Police First Review - May 2006
• complete the SDEA Second Review - June 2006
• complete a Thematic Inspection 'Case Management' - June 2006
• complete the Scottish Police Information Strategy 2nd Review - August 2006
• complete the Grampian Police Primary Inspection - September 2006
• complete a Thematic Inspection 'Common Knowledge' - October 2006
• complete the Scottish Police College Primary Inspection - December 2006
• complete the Scottish Criminal Records Office First Review - December 2006
• commence the Lothian and Borders Police Second Review - December 2006
• review Performance Management recommendations - February 2007
• begin the Northern Constabulary First Review - February 2007
• begin a Thematic Inspection - February 2007
• begin the Tayside Police Primary Inspection - February 2007
• complete Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary Primary Inspection - March 2007.

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