HMICS Scrutiny plan 2025-28

Our audit and assurance reviews allow for more detailed scrutiny where there is a specific need to audit critical systems, ensure accurate and ethical recording, or provide independent assurance in high-risk areas. We have identified the following areas for further scrutiny:

Crime audit

Compliance with crime recording standards and counting rules goes to the heart of public confidence – the public needs to trust that reported incidents and crimes are being recorded accurately and ethically. Independent assessments of crime recording have been regular features of our inspection programme and we carried out similar audits in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2020.

We planned to undertake this audit in the previous scrutiny period, but – given the development of a single, national crime recording system – decided to move this work to the early period of this scrutiny plan. This will allow data to be drawn, for the first time in Scotland, from a single source, giving an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of the new system. The overarching aim of this audit will be to assess the state, efficiency and effectiveness of crime recording by Police Scotland and the extent to which recording practice complies with the Scottish Crime Recording Standard and Counting Rules.

Sex offender policing units

In early 2025, the number of Registered Sex Offenders (RSOs) in Scotland totalled over 7000. Of these, over 5000 are being monitored in the community. The responsibility for this rests with the Sex Offender Policing Units (SOPU), based across Scotland’s 13 local policing divisions. They are supported by a national SOPU, responsible for the governance, audit and compliance of the monitoring process in place to manage the risk posed by RSOs.

This inspection will take place during the term of this plan and will look at the process for monitoring and managing this risk, to determine whether it is appropriate and proportionate. We last inspected this area of policing in 2015.

Policing together

Following the announcement of institutional discrimination by the former Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone QPM in May 2023, Police Scotland has committed to becoming an anti-discriminatory organisation, with the existing Policing Together strategy (launched in 2022) acting as the key driver of this ambition. This review will seek to provide assurance of the progress of the Police Scotland journey under the Policing Together strategy and assess whether the anticipated level of progress has been made, both internally and externally in this area of policing so critical to public trust and confidence.

Change and transformation

The introduction of a single police service in Scotland kick started one of the most significant periods of change ever in the public sector. Since demand for change far exceeds supply (both in terms of resource and finance), the challenge lies in delivering a police service that remains fit for purpose, while making the best possible use of those resources.

This review will seek to provide assurance that the process for managing change and realising the associated benefits is in keeping with Police Scotland’s 2030 Vision and is appropriately co-ordinated to provide a police service that is both efficient and effective.

Training and development 3 – probationer training

The training probationers receive at the beginning of their career with Police Scotland will shape their own careers and, ultimately, the culture and professionalism of the service as a whole.

Our review will focus on probationer training (following on from our previous inspection on Training and Development Phase 1 and Phase 2). This review will look at initial training at the Scottish Police College, as well as training throughout the two-year probationary period.

Implementation of legislative change

Supporting the introduction and implementation of legislation has been an ongoing challenge for policing in Scotland for many years. It is incumbent on Police Scotland to ensure that the implications of new or amended legislation is understood from a range of perspectives including operational, technological, financial, and training and development, as well as its potential impact on resources. This review will assess the process within policing in Scotland for understanding and preparing the service for the implementation of new or amended legislation.