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  3. Strategic review of policing the Commonwealth Games 2026
  4. Methodology

Strategic review of policing the Commonwealth Games 2026

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  • HMICS Strategic Review Of Policing The Commonwealth Games 2026
    PDF file, size 1.9 MB
Inspection reports

18th June 2026

This strategic review gives an independent assessment by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) of Police Scotland’s approach to planning for the policing of the Commonwealth Games 2026. It considers the state, effectiveness and efficiency of policing arrangements at this stage of preparation, and the evolving nature of planning activity as delivery approaches. In line with our terms of reference, we provided high-level feedback to Police Scotland during the course of our review, giving details on areas that required further development prior to the Commonwealth Games beginning on 23 July 2026. This report outlines our key findings and makes just one recommendation for Police Scotland

Additional

  • Recommendation
  • HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland
  • Our review
  • Key findings
  • Recommendation and areas for development
  • Methodology
  • Background
  • Governance, assurance and risk
  • Operational planning, logistics and partnerships
  • Business as usual, local policing and community engagement
  • Specialist policing functions
  • Conclusion

  • Recommendation
  • HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland
  • Our review
  • Key findings
  • Recommendation and areas for development
  • Methodology
  • Background
  • Governance, assurance and risk
  • Operational planning, logistics and partnerships
  • Business as usual, local policing and community engagement
  • Specialist policing functions
  • Conclusion

1. We published our terms of reference (ToR) for this review in December 2025, outlining our aims and objectives, and methodology. This set out our intention to assess the state, effectiveness and efficiency of policing arrangements for the Commonwealth Games 2026 (CWG26) across the following areas:

  • governance structures and oversight arrangements for the Games
  • planning arrangements and operational preparedness for the Games, including local and specialist policing
  • the effectiveness of testing and exercising activity
  • security assessments and planning (including counter-terrorism arrangements)
  • BAU capacity and capability arrangements to sustain non-Games-related policing activity
  • arrangements for monitoring and supporting staff wellbeing
  • Police Scotland’s co-ordination, management and mobilisation of resources, including mutual aid support.

2. We undertook a range of activities to evaluate progress against these themes, using the HMICS Inspection Framework and the EFQM model, and considered them in terms of leadership and vision, operational delivery and outcomes.

3. Our methodology included the following:

  • examination of relevant documentation including strategies, policies, procedures and plans
  • interviews with 22 police personnel and 10 key stakeholders
  • observation at relevant governance and planning meetings, and training and exercising activity
  • consideration of the extent to which organisational learning from previous events had informed planning.

4. We provided feedback to Police Scotland and the SPA during the course of the review and, prior to publication, outlined areas for development considered to have a significant impact on continued planning for the Games.

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