Thematic inspection of police response to drug harm reduction - Terms of Reference

Scope, objectives and outcomes

10. During interviews and discussions with police and key stakeholders as part of the scoping phase of this inspection, it was highlighted that drug harm reduction is often seen as ‘two sides of the same coin’ within policing – with disruption and enforcement on one side and prevention and intervention on the other.

11. While these important aspects of the policing approach cannot be separated from each other, our intention is to focus primarily on the prevention and intervention space and, where relevant, refer to the impact of disruption and enforcement activity on reducing crime and the supply of illegal drugs.

12. In addition, as public bodies including Police Scotland are adopting a more public health focused approach to reducing drug harms – aligned with national policy – we will examine the extent to which Police Scotland is achieving an effective balance between a public health approach and the enforcement action that is taken to reduce drug harms.

Exclusions from scope

13. The following will not be included within the scope of this inspection:

• We do not intend to examine the operational performance of local policing and specialist police teams involved in the disruption of supply and enforcement action regarding illegal drugs.
• While police work closely with partner organisations and agencies at various levels, and in partnerships across the country, we do not intend to examine the performance of agencies out with policing.

Objectives and outcomes

14. The key objective of the inspection is to provide an assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of Police Scotland’s response to drug harm reduction, and to make recommendations for improvement where required.

User Perspective

15. 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 service users in the scrutiny process. We will endeavour to obtain the views and perspectives of people with lived and living experience through engagement with key support services and agencies. Where possible, we will also consider the views of families on their experiences.

Methodology

16. We will use the 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 for 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 overarching themes:

• Leadership and vision
• Delivery
• Outcomes

17. During the course of this inspection 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 a review of relevant police strategy, policy, and procedural guidance documents.
• Examine open-source documents and key findings from academic research.
• Issue a self-evaluation to Police Scotland and review its response.
• Consider the effectiveness of Police Scotland’s strategy for drug harm reduction, including the quality of leadership, guidance and direction provided to officers and staff to fulfil their role.
• Review the effectiveness of strategic oversight at a national level, to consider how well the multiple activities and efforts of key organisations involved in drug harm reduction are coordinated, monitored and measured.
• Examine the contribution of policing to prevention and intervention approaches to drug harm reduction.
• Consider the effectiveness of information sharing arrangements between agencies and organisations.
• Undertake interviews with key personnel from Police Scotland and relevant partners.
• Undertake onsite visits to selected local police divisions to assess the operational response, and to evaluate partnership working and progress against national and local initiatives.
• Conduct benchmarking activities with other police services to identify good practice and consider where learning could be shared and implemented within policing in Scotland.

Publication and reporting timescales

18. We anticipate publishing a report of our findings in October 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 and the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and laid before the Scottish Parliament. A copy will also be made publicly available on the HMICS website.

19. For further information about this inspection, please contact Ray Jones, Lead Inspector (jones@hmic.gov.scot).

Craig Naylor
HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland
March 2025