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Progress to date
Year 1 (2025 / 2026)
In the first year of our Scrutiny Plan 2025-28 we have undertaken a series of inspections, audits and assurance reviews issuing a number of reports both as standalone publications and jointly with partner scrutiny bodies. This collaborative approach reflects the complex and interdependent challenges faced by organisations working to provide high‑quality public services.
Joint Custody Inspection activity continued throughout 2025, with work conducted alongside Healthcare Improvement Scotland across Forth Valley (July 2025) and the Highland and Islands (November 2025) and the Joint Custody Progress Inspection of Argyll and West Dunbartonshire (July 2025). These inspections assessed the treatment of detained individuals, the quality and consistency of custody centre operations, and the provision of healthcare. Across the three reports, we highlighted recurring issues previously identified elsewhere in Scotland, underscoring the need for sustainable and system‑wide improvement. While the Forth Valley inspection resulted in no new recommendations for Police Scotland, the other inspections produced a series of further recommendations for Police Scotland and the relevant Health and Social Care Partnerships and Health Boards, particularly relating to governance, healthcare provision, and oversight arrangements.
We continue to work alongside the Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and Education Scotland to support joint inspections of Services for Children and Young People at Risk of Harm (CARH). We also contributed to joint inspections of Adult Support and Protection in collaboration with Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the Care Inspectorate.
In September 2025, our Frontline Focus review of Tools of the Trade examined how well frontline officers and staff are equipped and supported to perform their duties. Feedback from serving officers played a significant role in shaping the findings—particularly around the quality, comfort, and consistency of uniform and equipment. This inspection attracted notable interest among officers and staff, and generated meaningful engagement on practical frontline issues that directly affect service delivery. The topic also gained media attention, with several outlets reporting on officer experiences and perspectives on equipment standards.
Our thematic inspection of Police Response to Drug Harm Reduction, published in December 2025, assessed the efficiency and effectiveness of the service’s strategic and operational approach to harm reduction. The report highlighted examples of strong partnership work and made seven recommendations to support continued development in this area.
In January 2026, with Audit Scotland, we published the Joint Best Value Audit of Policing in Scotland. The audit found policing in Scotland to be well‑led and generally well‑managed while identifying areas where reform and improved use of resources remain necessary. This work generated considerable interest with public reporting focusing primarily on the need for continued transformation, financial and workforce planning and the changing demands faced by policing.
Our most recently published report, the joint inspection of Citing Witnesses in the Sheriff Court, was carried out with HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland, which assessed the effectiveness and efficiency of processes for citing public, professional and police witnesses.