Frontline focus review of tools of the trade – terms of reference

Introduction

1. HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) has committed to conduct a number of short, frontline focused reviews throughout the period of the HMICS Scrutiny Plan 2022-2025.

2. The concept of a frontline focus review has been introduced to help improve the delivery of frontline policing services across Scotland. It is intended that these reviews will have particular relevance for officers and staff operating in frontline roles.

3. The term frontline can mean different things to different people. We have chosen the commonly used and accepted definition used in the Police visibility: Demanding times - His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services report:-

“The police frontline comprises those who are in everyday contact with the public and who directly intervene to keep people safe and enforce the law”.

Aim

4. The aim of this frontline focus review will be to assess:

• how well equipped frontline operational officers and staff are to perform their roles
• whether frontline officers and staff have ready access to appropriate data to help them perform their roles.

Background

5. Following on from our frontline focus review of wellbeing, our second frontline focus review was intended to be a review of the role of a frontline officer, immediately followed with a short review on the tools of the trade.

6. Our 2023 review of policing mental health in Scotland considered the question of the role of a police officer and much progress is being made by Police Scotland to re-focus officers on core police work. This review will, therefore, focus on the tools of the trade of officers and staff in the operational environment.