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Additional
Terms of Reference
Scope, objectives and outcomes
9. The scope of this strategic review is a focus on Police Scotland’s preparedness and planning for the games, with particular attention paid to the planned operations to police the Games. In addition, it will focus on the impact of the event on the provision of normal policing services to the communities across Scotland.
Objectives
10. The intended objectives of this review and its publication are to assess:
- the governance structure and arrangements for the games
- planning arrangements and preparedness for the games, including local and specialist policing
- the effectiveness of testing and exercise planning
- security assessments and planning (including counter terrorism)
- business as usual capacity and capability arrangements for non-Games related policing activity
- arrangements for monitoring and supporting staff wellbeing
- Police Scotland’s coordination, management and mobilisation of resources including mutual aid support.
11. We will review whether any mutual aid requests have been made of any other Home Office police forces to support safe delivery of the policing operation.[3]
Exclusions from scope
12. The SPA has instructed an independent auditor to carry out a review of the design and operational effectiveness of the controls relating to the SPA and Police Scotland’s planning for the Games – which will include examination of the financial management and costs related to policing for the Games. As a result, we will not focus on financial arrangements for the Games. We will however liaise with the auditor to satisfy ourselves that financial management is satisfactory.
13. In relation to post Commonwealth Games activity, HMICS focus will be on the planning arrangements to effectively manage residual issues that exist following the conclusion of the event including organisational and operational learning. It is not our intention to undertake scrutiny of post Games impact other than as outlined above.
User Perspective
14. 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 users in the scrutiny process. HMICS will engage directly with key governance groups and stakeholders including the SPA, Police Scotland, Scottish Government, independent auditors, and police staff representatives.
Methodology
15. We will use the HMICS Inspection Framework, which is based on the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model and Best Value Characteristics, to conduct the review.
16. The Inspection Framework will provide a structure for the review, 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 the key themes of:
- Leadership and vision
- Delivery
- Outcomes
17. To support the strategic review and to facilitate appropriate access to people and information a single point of contact has been identified by Police Scotland. We will carry out the following activities during the review:
- Liaison with the SPA, Police Scotland and engagement with key stakeholders
- Examination of relevant documentation including strategies, policies, procedures and plans
- Interviews with strategic policing leaders
- Observation at relevant governance and planning meetings
- Observation at relevant training and exercising events.
18. We will provide feedback to Police Scotland and the SPA during the course of this review, and prior to publication, on any matters we consider may have a significant impact on planning for the Games.
Publication and reporting timescales
19. Following conclusion of our review and analysis, we anticipate publication of a report on our findings in May 2026, in sufficient time for it to be considered ahead of the delivery phase of the Games. It is accepted that certain details will be omitted from our published report where these relate to specific operations related to ensuring the safety and security of the event, its participants, spectators, and the wider community.
20. Our report subject of the aforesaid safety and security considerations will be published in terms of section 79 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012. A copy of the report will be provided to the Chief Constable, the SPA, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and laid before the Scottish Parliament. A copy will also be made publicly available on the HMICS website.
21. For further information about this strategic review please contact Ray Jones, Lead Inspector (hmic@hmic.gov.scot).
Craig Naylor
HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland
December 2025
[3] Home Office Police Forces comprise the 43 territorial police forces in England and Wales. Mutual Aid relates to the sharing of police officers and resources between police forces to support large scale operations.