The Scottish Government

HMICS Thematic Inspection Prospectus for 1.7.07 to 31.12.08

The first four thematic inspections, plus a joint inspection, were selected or agreed by HMICS prior to full consultation with stakeholders

(All dates are estimates and therefore subject to adjustment)

Police engagement in the 'prevent' aspect of the multi-agency effort to counter international terrorism in the UK

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): 9.07.07 - 24.09.07

additional information: Related to work already completed by HMICS on behalf of the Scottish Government on the multi-agency aspect of this work in Scotland.

This work is now completed and the subsequent report will be widely circulated among police and partner agencies. The report has been marked as restricted for self-evident reasons of national security.

Promotion selection and career development

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): 15.7.07 - 25.10.07

report published: December 2007

additional information: Identified by previous force inspections as problematic in terms of transparency and national consistency.

The Scottish Crime Recording Standard

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): 16.7.07 - 9.11.07

report published: March 2008

additional information: HMICS last conducted a thematic inspection on the SCRS in 2005 ( Meeting the Standard). This re-visit is intended to ascertain what progress has been made against the resulting recommendations, as well as to consider any new issues that have arisen nationally. ACPOS has recently indicated that the value of the Scottish Policing Performance Framework and Information Platform would be undermined by unreliable data.

Quality of service and feedback to users of police services in Scotland

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): 1.9.07 - 2.11.07

additional information: Long identified by public surveys, and recognised within the service, as a challenge.

report published:30 May 2008.

Joint inspection: High risk offenders - arrangements before and after release from custodial sentence (joint inspection with SWIA and HMIP)

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): summer 2008

additional information: This was directed by the previous Justice Minister and the current Cabinet Secretary for Justice has since affirmed that it should go ahead.

The remaining thematic inspections have been selected following consultation with stakeholders or as directed by HMCIC and/or Scottish Ministers

Investigation of serious fraud

suggested by: HMICS

supported by: ACPOS, COPFS

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): 1.10.07 - 11.1.08

report published: 13 May 2008

additional information: HMICS believes that capacity and capability may be problematic for some forces.

Care of arrested/detained juveniles

suggested by: HMICS

supported by: ACPOS, PCCS, SWIA

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): 1.10.07 - 11.1.08

additional information: HMICS and PCCS are aware of individual cases of concern and the provision of sufficient secure places of safety apparently remains problematic.

Due for completion May 2008.

Custody facilities

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): 1.10.07 - 11.1.08

report published: April 2008

additional information: Previous inspections have indicated that facilities may vary quite widely across Scotland. It is intended to limit the inspection to physical facilities.

Police response to domestic abuse

suggested by: HMICS

supported by: ACPOS, SPF, COPFS

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): 5.11.07 - 28.1.08

additional information: HMICS last conducted a thematic inspection on domestic abuse in 1997 ( Hitting Home). The accurate recording of domestic abuse has arisen as an issue in more recent inspection and violent crime remains a priority from the Scottish Strategic Assessment.

Due for completion May 2008.

Productivity of Police Officers

supported by: HMICS, ACPOS

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): 12.11.07 - 21.12.07

report published: 1 May 2008

additional information: The original aim was to identify measures which give indications of individual performance, in order to assist the development of the Scottish Policing Performance Framework and the Information Platform. Following consultation with ACPOS it has been agreed that the main emphasis will be on the organisational use of the Framework.

Investigation of wildlife crime (joint inspection with Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland )

suggested by: Scottish Ministers

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): 5.11.07 - 31.1.08

report published: April 2008

additional information: Following an announcement made during the Parliamentary debate on wildlife crime on 4th October 2007, this joint inspection was undertaken. The aim was to examine current arrangements relating to wildlife crime within and across partnerships, the police service and procurator fiscal areas.

Medical services for people in police custody

suggested by: ACPOS

supported by: HMICS, Scottish Ministers

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): 7.1.08 - 28.3.08

additional information: The provision of medical services to people in police custody - whether for treatment or assessment of fitness for interview or appearance in court - is achieved in different ways across Scotland. Continuous cover can be problematic, as can geographical cover in rural areas.

Due for completion June 2008.

Police impact on road safety

suggested by: HMICS

supported by: ACPOS

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): 18.2.08-30.6.08

additional information: ACPOS reports that the positive trend in road casualty reduction is faltering slightly in some areas. This inspection will largely be conducted as a paper review and subject to consultation with Audit Scotland.

Due for completion August 2008.

Police use of firearms

suggested by: ACPOS

supported by: HMICS

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): June-September 2008

additional information: HMICS highlighted, in 4 separate reports, difficulties in forces and the SCDEA providing sufficient specialist expertise for continuous cover and assesses that, as well as national capacity, this inspection should cover police firearms equipment, training and facilities. ACPOS completed a capability and capacity review of the subject in 2007 and the inspection will therefore also test implementation of the findings of that review.

Due for completion October 2008

Asset recovery (joint inspection with the Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland)

suggested by: Director General of SCDEA

supported by: Lord Advocate, ACPOS, COPFS

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): September - December 2008

additional information: ACPOS suggested this could be done in conjunction with the serious fraud inspection but, since much of the asset confiscation relates to drug trafficking rather than fraud, HMICS has kept them separate.

Force-level public consultation for strategic planning and quality assurance of service delivery

suggested by: HMICS

supported by: ACPOS

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): April-August 2008

additional information: Some information has already been collected as part of HMICS' consideration of how it gauges public views about policing across Scotland.

The following topics are under consideration for beyond December 2008

Forensic science

suggested by: HMICS

supported by: SPSA, Scottish Government

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): spring/summer 2009

Investigation of rape

suggested by: HMICS

supported by: COPFS, ACPOS, SPF

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): summer/autumn 2009

additional information: Lord Advocate's guidelines to police, following a review published in 2006, are likely to be finalised around the beginning of 2008.

Health and safety risk assessment

suggested by: SPF

supported by: HMICS

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): to be decided

additional information: Likely to consist largely of a desk-top review of documentation and timescales, as well as injury/health records.

Attendance management

suggested by: HMICS

supported by: ACPOS

timescale (consultation and fieldwork): to be decided

additional information: Topic identified after consideration of ACPOS proposal that Occupational Health be inspected. Likely to be a review of policies and results.

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