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Our purpose
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) has a statutory role, which was reaffirmed in the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012. We have wide-ranging powers to look into the ‘state, efficiency and effectiveness’ of both Police Scotland and the SPA. We have a statutory duty to inquire into how the Chief Constable and the SPA 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 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.[1] 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.[2] 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, 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.[3]
[1] Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012, CHAPTER 11, Section 76
[2] Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012, CHAPTER 11, Section 77
[3] Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003, Section 63, Crime and Courts Act 2013, Part 1, Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987 and Energy Act 2004, Chapter 3.