HMICS Annual Report 2025-26

We conduct our business in accordance with our values, acting independently and proportionately, focusing on how the needs of the public are served by Police Scotland, its stakeholders and the partners with whom it works. We work in an open and transparent way, and are fully accountable for what we do. We make efforts to work with cross-sector scrutiny partners and take account of the Crerar report from 2007.

Our inspection framework

Our inspection framework is based on the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model and Best Value Characteristics. The purpose of the framework is to support lead and associate inspectors to take a common and objective approach to assessing policing in Scotland. The framework can be used in its entirety, or adapted so that the key themes and sub elements reflect the purpose of the inspection to be undertaken.

In 2024 we reviewed our corporate plan and inspection frameworks, together with our methodologies, governance and joint working with other public and scrutiny bodies.

We also review our frameworks after each inspection, at the meeting we have to evaluate the inspection. This allows for continuous improvement of our methodology, and any lessons to be learned from those we inspect and work alongside. Our corporate plan, inspection framework and custody inspection framework covering the period 2025-28 were published in March 2025.

Scrutiny plan 2025-28

Our scrutiny plan sets out how HMICS aims to meet its statutory purpose to inquire into the state, efficiency and effectiveness of both Police Scotland and the SPA. It was published in terms of Section 75 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 and sets out our scrutiny priorities from April 2025 to March 2028.

This plan looks at the work we have scheduled for the period in question, and is kept under review to ensure that any new and emerging issues can be addressed appropriately. Our objective is to support Police Scotland and the SPA to deliver high-quality, effective services that are continually improving, effective and responsive to local needs, while providing best value.

In April 2026, we published an update to the plan, articulating new work commissioned by Scottish Ministers and the small changes that will take place during the next two years. This report is available at Scrutiny plan review 2025-28.

Partnership working

We work closely with our partners in the Strategic Public Sector Scrutiny Network (SPSSN). The SPSSN aims to support improvement in the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of public services for the people of Scotland, holding those public bodies to account. It promotes collaboration among Scotland’s main public sector scrutiny bodies by identifying shared risks, priorities and learning. Scrutiny bodies involved include the Accounts Commission; Audit Scotland; HM Inspectorate of Education in Scotland; the Care Inspectorate; Healthcare Improvement Scotland; HM Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland; HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland; HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland; and the Scottish Housing Regulator.

We are also a member of the UK National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), contributing to the UK response to its international obligations under the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).