Related Downloads
Additional
What we do
HMICS is established under the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012. As set out in our purpose (above), we have wide-ranging powers to look into the state, effectiveness and efficiency of both Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority. We have a statutory duty to inquire into the arrangements made by the SPA and Chief Constable to meet their obligations in terms of best value and continuous improvement. If necessary, we can be directed by Scottish Ministers to look into anything relating to the SPA or Police Scotland, as they consider appropriate. We also have an established role in providing professional advice and guidance on policing in Scotland.
Our powers allow us to do anything we consider necessary or expedient for the purposes of, or in connection with, the carrying out of our functions. The SPA and the Chief Constable must provide us with such assistance and co-operation as we may require to carry out our functions and must comply with any reasonable request that we make. When we publish a report, the SPA and the Chief Constable must consider what we have found and take such measures, if any, as they think fit. Where we make recommendations, we will follow them up and report publicly on progress.
We will identify good practice that can be applied across Scotland. We work with other inspectorates and agencies across the public sector and co-ordinate our activities to reduce the burden of inspection and avoid unnecessary duplication. We aim to add value and strengthen public confidence in Scottish policing and will do this through independent scrutiny and objective, evidence-led reporting about what we find.
Our approach is to support Police Scotland and the SPA to deliver services that are high-quality, continually improving, effective and responsive to both national and local needs.
HMICS also has a role in inspecting other UK policing agencies that operate in Scotland, such as the British Transport Police, National Crime Agency, and Ministry of Defence Police and Civil Nuclear Constabulary, working with HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (England and Wales) under relevant UK legislation as required.