HMICS Annual Report 2019-20

06 October 2020

This report outlines how Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) has carried out its statutory function for the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020.

This year’s report has been delayed due to the impact of COVID-19 on priorities. The urgent and vital nature of the work being carried out by Police Scotland officers and staff to support the public health response to the pandemic was recognised at an early stage and all routine HMICS inspection activity was suspended in mid-March. All serving police officers on secondment to HMICS were returned to Police Scotland to help with the national response to the crisis. Inspection activity has subsequently resumed, taking into account public health guidelines.

This annual report summarises all of HMICS inspection activity carried out during 2019-2020.

The commitments made in the 2019-2020 Scrutiny Plan, published in April 2019, and refreshed in November 2019 have largely been fulfilled. Two thematic inspections: Training and Development, and Hate Crime, were paused when the implications of COVID-19 became apparent. The start of a third inspection, the Crime Audit 2020, was also delayed.

During 2019-2020, HMICS published six significant inspection reports, two progress reviews, and contributed to a joint inspection with colleagues from HMICFRS (England and Wales). We also continued to work with the Care Inspectorate on joint inspections of services for children and young people, adults in need of care and protection, and community justice.

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