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

Scope

7. For the purposes of this review, we will focus on officers in local policing divisions who are carrying out response, community policing and criminal investigation department (CID) roles. We will also include staff who engage directly with members of the public in front counter and custody roles.

8. We will consider the uniform and equipment issued to police officers and staff.

Exclusions from scope

9. This frontline focus review will not consider uniform and equipment issued to specialist officers and staff, for example, firearms officers and mountain rescue teams. If, however, the frontline officer or staff member has specialisms which require additional pieces of uniform and/or equipment to perform their frontline role, this may come into the scope of the review, for example early evidence kits, cyber forensic kits, etc.

10. Police vehicles and the equipment contained within them, including access to drink/drug driving equipment, will not be considered during this review. These issues were considered during our forensic toxicology and road policing in Scotland reviews.

Objectives and outcomes

11. The intended outcomes from the review, and its publication, are to help improve the overall effectiveness of the uniform and equipment issued to frontline officers and staff.

User Perspective

12. As set out in the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, HMICS has a duty to demonstrate continuous improvement in user focus, i.e. involving users in the scrutiny process. We will endeavor to obtain the perspective of key stakeholder groups through self-evaluation and consultation. HMICS will engage directly with Police Scotland, officers and staff, the Scottish Police Authority and partner agencies.

13. We will also consider whether the uniform and equipment provided is meeting the needs of officers and staff who have protected characteristics, and to assist us we will engage with trade unions, staff associations, including the diversity staff associations.

Methodology

14. We will use the latest HMICS Inspection Framework which is based on the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model and Best Value characteristics. The Inspection Framework will provide a structure to our inspection which will be risk based, proportionate and focused on improving the delivery of policing in Scotland. We will structure our inspection around our objectives and three themes:

• Leadership and vision
• Delivery
• Outcomes

15. Between February 2025 and May 2025 we will:

• Liaise regularly with Police Scotland through the identified single point of contact for HMICS, who will support the inspection process and facilitate appropriate access to people and information, and maintain ongoing engagement with other key stakeholders.
• Conduct benchmarking activities with other UK police services to identify examples of innovation and good practice.
• Analyse and consider relevant documentation. Given the short and focused nature of this review, where possible we will minimise the amount of documents requested.
• Conduct a document review of relevant police strategy, policies, procedural guidance and multi-agency arrangements.
• Conduct interviews and focus groups with key members of Police Scotland officers and staff.

Publication and reporting timescales

16. We anticipate publishing a report of our findings in summer 2025. Our report will be published in terms of Section 79 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012. A copy of the report will also be provided to the Chief Constable, the Scottish Police Authority, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and will be laid before the Scottish Parliament. A copy will also be made publicly available on the HMICS website.

17. For further information about the frontline focus review of tools of the trade, please contact Brian McInulty, Lead Inspector (brian.mcinulty@hmic.gov.scot).

Craig Naylor
HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland
February 2025