Strategic review of policing violence in Scotland - terms of reference
- Recommendations
- 0
HMICS Inspections
Inspection, assurance, thematic and progress reports from HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland.
132 reports815 recommendations13 last 12 months
Coverage: Scotland
Newest content date: 29 Sep 2026. This describes the content held here, not the date this page was opened.
How this source is collected and updated
- Collection method
- Web
- Observed update
- Updated monthly
- Last record written
- 30 Oct 2026
Records written on 4 of the last 90 days; last write 30 Oct 2026.
Publisher's stated schedule: Periodic. That is the publisher's own description, not a measurement of this copy.
Reports and publications
Joint review of police custody recommendations
- Recommendations
- 3
Since 2023 HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland and Healthcare Improvement Scotland have jointly undertaken a programme of inspections aimed at assessing the treatment of individuals detained at police custody centres across Scotland. Our reviews have...
1: Custody operating model and workforce resilience Police Scotland should, as a matter of priority, develop and implement a revised custody operating model that is aligned to...
2: Governance, oversight and delivery of improvement Police Scotland should strengthen governance, audit and assurance arrangements to ensure consistent and effective oversight and...
HMICS Annual Report 2025-26
- Recommendations
- 0
HMICS Crime audit 2026 - Terms of Reference
- Recommendations
- 0
Strategic review of policing the Commonwealth Games 2026
- Recommendations
- 1
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...
1: Police Scotland should maintain its robust focus on planning arrangements for the Commonwealth Games 2026, while working closely with key partners. By addressing the following...
HMICS Assurance review of Conduct and Discipline
- Recommendations
- 24
The aim of this assurance review was to assess the state, efficiency, and effectiveness of officer and staff conduct and discipline processes within Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority. To deliver this assurance review, we adopted a...
1: Police Scotland should review and enhance the content and delivery of training of its Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Behaviour for all those joining...
10: Police Scotland should ensure that all police staff discipline investigations and meetings are conducted by those who are appropriately trained and independent of the enquiry.
Custody inspection report - Edinburgh
- Recommendations
- 10
This inspection, undertaken jointly by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), aimed to assess the treatment of, and conditions for, individuals detained at St Leonards police custody centre in the...
1: Police Scotland should examine concerns raised resulting from the configuration of the holding room and introduce appropriate risk management arrangements to mitigate risks...
10: NHS Lothian should ensure that compliance aids are labelled in accordance with legal requirements, including correct administration guidance and appropriate warnings.
Scrutiny plan review 2025-28
- Recommendations
- 0
Citing witnesses in the sheriff court
- Recommendations
- 50
The aim of this inspection was to assess how effectively and efficiently prosecution witnesses are cited to give evidence in the sheriff court. This includes members of the public who have been the victim of a crime or who have witnessed a crime, as well as...
1: COPFS and Police Scotland should: (a) review the targets in the ‘Protocol for witness citation targets’ to take account of the business rules on automatic citing and removal of...
10: COPFS should develop training on the citation of witnesses for administrative staff, to ensure consistency of practice. All relevant staff should undertake this training as soon...
Best Value in policing - Joint Best Value audit of policing in Scotland
- Recommendations
- 0
This joint audit by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland and Audit Scotland assessed how effectively the Best Value arrangements in policing are demonstrating continuous improvement in delivering the current strategic outcomes, overall vision, and...
Thematic inspection of police response to drug harm reduction
- Recommendations
- 7
The aim of this thematic inspection, undertaken by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS), was to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of Police Scotland’s strategic and operational approach to the reduction of drug-related harms in Scotland,...
1: Police Scotland should publish a clear policy on drug harm reduction, ensuring it is accessible to officers, staff and partner agencies to support a consistent and co-ordinated...
2: Police Scotland should take a more active role in identifying and sharing learning and good practice to promote consistency across divisions, and update intranet pages to ensure...
Strategic review of policing the Commonwealth Games 2026 - terms of reference
- Recommendations
- 0
Custody inspection report - Highland and Islands
- Recommendations
- 40
This inspection, undertaken jointly by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), aimed to assess the treatment of, and conditions for, individuals detained in police custody centres in the Highland and...
1: Police Scotland should improve CCTV viewing equipment and conditions for officers at Lerwick and Stornoway custody centres to ensure the location, number, and quality of screens...
10: NHS Highland and Police Scotland should ensure that custody staff involved in the checking of controlled drugs have had appropriate training.
Frontline focus review of tools of the trade
- Recommendations
- 6
The aim of this frontline focus review, undertaken by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS), was to assess how well equipped frontline operational officers and staff are to perform their roles – with an emphasis on uniform and equipment. It was...
1: Police Scotland should improve the effectiveness of the clothing and equipment working group as a decision making body.
2: Police Scotland should improve its engagement with frontline officers and staff about their uniform and equipment requirements and ensure their opinions are represented at the...
HMICS Annual report 2024-25
- Recommendations
- 0
This report outlines how HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) has carried out its statutory function for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
Custody progress inspection report - Argyll and West Dunbartonshire
- Recommendations
- 5
The aim of this progress inspection, undertaken jointly by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), was to assess progress made on a healthcare improvement action plan put in place following a full...
1: Argyll and Bute HSCP should establish a monitoring framework to ensure that patients' needs are met, and to collect data on patient outcomes in police custody.
2: Argyll and Bute HSCP should ensure that any paper patient records are stored securely so that only healthcare staff can access them.
Custody inspection report - Forth Valley
- Recommendations
- 6
This inspection, undertaken jointly by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), aimed to assess the treatment of, and conditions for, individuals detained in the police custody centre at Falkirk Police...
1: NHS Lothian must review the prescribing processes in Falkirk police custody centre and strengthen the governance of medication prescribing.
2: NHS Lothian should ensure all staff receive appropriate training and guidance to support the use of compliance aids.
Best Value in policing - Audit scope
- Recommendations
- 0
This audit, conducted jointly by HMICS and Audit Scotland, is the first audit to look at Best Value arrangements across policing since 2012. The audit will assess several key areas: strategic direction and leadership, the effective use of resources,...
Thematic inspection of police response to drug harm reduction - Terms of Reference
- Recommendations
- 0
The aim of this inspection will be to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of Police Scotland’s strategic and operational approach to the reduction of drug related harms in Scotland, and the outcomes achieved.
IPS and HMICS - Citing witnesses in the sheriff court - Terms of Reference
- Recommendations
- 0
The aim of this inspection is to assess how effectively and efficiently prosecution witnesses are cited to give evidence at court. This includes members of the public who have been the victim of a crime or who have witnessed a crime, as well as police and...
HMICS Corporate plan 2025-28
- Recommendations
- 0
Welcome to our new corporate plan for the next three years. This plan focuses on widening the impact and credibility of our reports, further strengthening confidence in our evidence base and advice, working with other scrutiny bodies to examine cross-cutting...
HMICS Custody inspection framework 2025
- Recommendations
- 0
HMICS Inspection framework 2025
- Recommendations
- 0
HMICS Scrutiny plan 2025-28
- Recommendations
- 0
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland has published its latest scrutiny plan, setting out our inspection priorities for the period April 2025 to March 2028. The plan (as defined in Section 75 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012)...
Custody Inspection Report - Greater Glasgow
- Recommendations
- 6
The aim of this inspection, undertaken jointly by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), was to assess the treatment of, and conditions for, individuals detained in the police custody centres at London...
1: Police Scotland should examine the staffing levels at the custody centres in Glasgow and make arrangements to ensure that appropriate staff resource is in place to maintain safe...
2: Police Scotland should ensure that an appropriate level of management presence is maintained at custody centres in order to improve the quality and consistency of operational...
Frontline focus review of tools of the trade – terms of reference
- Recommendations
- 0
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) has committed to conduct a number of short, frontline focused reviews throughout the period of the HMICS Scrutiny Plan 2022-2025.
Thematic inspection of road policing in Scotland
- Recommendations
- 13
The aim of this inspection, undertaken by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS), was to assess the state, efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of road policing arrangements in Scotland. The resultant inspection report is based on a...
1: Police Scotland should review its commitment to and investment in its road policing function, to ensure it is effectively supporting Scotland’s Road Safety Framework and that road...
10: Police Scotland should progress the facility for members of the public to report road traffic offences by directly uploading journey-cam footage.
Custody Inspection Report - Argyll and West Dunbartonshire
- Recommendations
- 18
The aim of this inspection, undertaken jointly by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), was to assess the treatment of, and conditions for, individuals detained in the police custody centres at Oban and...
1: Police Scotland should ensure that the maintenance and repair of crucial custody infrastructure is addressed swiftly to maintain operational capability as well as safety and...
10: Argyll and Bute HSCP should comply with Health Protection Scotland’s NIPCM standard infection control precautions to ensure patient and healthcare staff safety.
Thematic inspection of police response to missing persons in Scotland
- Recommendations
- 11
The aim of this inspection, undertaken by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS), was to assess the state, efficiency and effectiveness of the police response to missing persons in Scotland. The resultant inspection report is based on a...
1: Police Scotland should promote the national missing person framework’s aims, objectives and commitments to officers and staff across divisions, and emphasise that this underpins...
10: Police Scotland should work with partners to ensure that clear and co-ordinated arrangements are in place to conduct return discussions across divisions. These should align...
Assurance review of conduct and discipline - terms of reference
- Recommendations
- 0
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) has committed to an assurance review of conduct as part of its Scrutiny Plan for 2022-25.
Annual report 2023-24
- Recommendations
- 0
This report outlines how HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) has carried out its statutory function for the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.
Strategic review of the Scottish Police Authority
- Recommendations
- 1
The aim of this strategic review was to assess the state, efficiency and effectiveness of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) in fulfilling its core role and meeting its statutory obligations.
1: The SPA should put in place measures to monitor progress against the areas for development outlined in this review, ensuring regular public reporting to allow assessment of...
Custody Inspection Report - Ayrshire
- Recommendations
- 8
The aim of this inspection, undertaken jointly by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), was to assess the treatment of, and conditions for, individuals detained in the police custody centres at...
1: Police Scotland should review compliance with policy relating to the delay of release following a disposal decision being made and ensure that staff adhere to this.
2: Police Scotland should ensure that custody staff have a clear understanding of what response is required for each of the defined observation levels and that these are applied...
Frontline Focus – Wellbeing
- Recommendations
- 7
In developing HMICS’s scrutiny plan in 2022, we committed to engaging with those working on the frontline to better understand the experience of officers and staff who directly provide service to our communities. This was intended to be a short, sharp focus...
1: Police Scotland should develop a wellbeing plan that has appropriate governance, structure and activity, reflecting the People Strategy, and delivered equitably across the...
2: Police Scotland should implement effective actions to understand and address organisational stressors, including those caused by perceived unfairness in application of...
Custody Progress Inspection Report - Dumfries and Galloway
- Recommendations
- 2
The aim of this progress inspection, undertaken jointly by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), was to assess progress made against improvement actions put in place by inspectors during a full...
1: Dumfries and Galloway HSCP, in discussion with the custody centre, should ensure that emergency medications that custody staff are trained to use are readily available to ensure...
2: Dumfries and Galloway HSCP should ensure that temperature sensitive medications are stored correctly in the custody centre in Stranraer.
Custody Inspection Report - Fife
- Recommendations
- 15
The aim of this inspection, undertaken jointly by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), was to assess the treatment of, and conditions for, individuals detained in the police custody centres at...
1: Police Scotland should create a secure holding area for detainees at the custody centres.
10: Police Scotland should ensure that chlorine-based cleaning products are available for cleaning in line with national guidance.
Thematic inspection of road policing in Scotland – Terms of Reference
- Recommendations
- 0
The aim of this thematic inspection will be to assess the state, effectiveness and efficiency of road policing arrangements in Scotland.
Thematic Inspection of Organisational Culture in Police Scotland
- Recommendations
- 11
Our inspection took evidence from staff and officers at all ranks and grades to gain an understanding of: how culture is set; if there is a conscious effort to define and influence culture; and how people feel within the organisation. We also sought views and...
1: Police Scotland should improve leadership behaviours across the organisation to ensure that officers and staff work in a culture that is supportive, collaborative and welcomes...
10: Police Scotland should develop its performance framework to encompass the impact of organisational culture, while regularly reporting to the Scottish Police Authority.
Custody Inspection Report - Dumfries and Galloway
- Recommendations
- 14
The inspection was carried out jointly by HMICS and HIS, the aim of which was to assess the treatment of, and conditions for, individuals detained at the custody centre. We will outline within this report, information relevant to the efficiency and...
1: Police Scotland should ensure that detainee observation facilities at the Dumfries custody centre are moved to an appropriate location within the centre.
10: Dumfries and Galloway HSCP must review the process for storage, dispensing and administration of medicines to support the safety and wellbeing of staff and to ensure patient...
Thematic inspection of police response to missing persons in Scotland - Terms of Reference
- Recommendations
- 0
The aim of this thematic inspection will be to assess the state, efficiency and effectiveness of the police response to missing persons in Scotland. It will examine this from the perspective of Outcomes, Delivery and Leadership & Vision, which are the key...
Thematic review of policing mental health in Scotland
- Recommendations
- 14
The policing of mental health-related incidents was the area discussed most by officers and staff who took part in the consultation for our Scrutiny Plan 2022-25. HMICS established a review team in December 2022, and terms of reference were published in...
1: Scottish Government should commission a strategic review of the whole system relating to mental health, involving a range of scrutiny bodies.
10: Police Scotland and the SPA should take steps to establish a clear demand picture for policing mental health.
Assurance review of vetting policy and procedures within Police Scotland
- Recommendations
- 15
This report highlights good practice within Police Scotland’s vetting unit, a committed and skilled vetting team, a determination to improve and reduce risks combined within a learning culture. It also highlights gaps in the system, some evidence of poor...
1: The Scottish Government should place into legislation the requirement for all Police Scotland officers and staff to obtain and maintain a minimum standard of vetting clearance and...
10: Police Scotland should introduce an annual integrity review including change of personal circumstances for all vetting clearances.
Annual Report 2022 - 2023
- Recommendations
- 0
This report outlines how HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) has carried out its statutory function for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.
Scrutiny Plan - review
- Recommendations
- 0
Since the publication of our previous update in December 2022, HMICS has continued to progress the scrutiny plan, with the publication of a number of inspection reports, both by the inspectorate as single agency publications, and increasingly with other...
Custody Inspection Report - Tayside
- Recommendations
- 8
The inspection was carried out jointly by HMICS and HIS, the aim of which was to assess the treatment of, and conditions for, individuals detained at the custody centre. We will outline within this report, information relevant to the efficiency and...
1: Police Scotland should review and amend booking-in processes and facilities at Dundee custody centre to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the process.
2: Police Scotland should ensure that clear lines of accountability are defined and stipulated for custody supervisors in the event of an adverse incident resulting in serious harm...
Assurance Review of Scottish Police Authority Forensic Toxicology Provision
- Recommendations
- 25
The report provides an overview of the issues leading to the drug driving cases that were unable to be prosecuted, with an assessment of the effectiveness surrounding the processes in place for obtaining, analysing and reporting drug driving blood samples to...
1: Police Scotland, SPA Forensic Services and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service should work with Scottish Government to collate and produce data to facilitate an assessment...
10: SPA Forensic Services must immediately progress the core operating solution plans and explore opportunities to interface with Police Scotland and Crown Office and Procurator...
Custody Inspection Report - Lanarkshire
- Recommendations
- 15
This inspection was carried out jointly by HMICS and HIS, the aim of which was to assess the treatment of, and conditions for, individuals detained in the primary police custody centres located in Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is the first of two onsite custody...
1: Police Scotland should make arrangements to improve the observation room and its facilities within the police custody centre at Motherwell.
10: NHS Lanarkshire must ensure that all sharps bins have fully completed labels to ensure safe waste management.
Inspection Framework
- Recommendations
- 0
In 2014, HMICS published its first Inspection Framework. This version is our third iteration of that framework, reflecting our regular review process to continually improve our approach. While each inspection or assurance activity varies in subject matter and...
Frontline Focus - Wellbeing - Terms of Reference
- Recommendations
- 0
The aim of this review is to engage directly with frontline officers and staff in order to identify the issues they consider support or impact on their wellbeing and to assess the work undertaken by Police Scotland to improve wellbeing, under the Positive...
Joint review of diversion from prosecution
- Recommendations
- 34
The aim of this review was to assess the operation and impact of diversion from prosecution in Scotland. We sought to provide an overview of diversion practice from a policing, prosecution and justice social work perspective, highlight what is working well...
1: While prosecution policy remains a matter for the Lord Advocate, the Scottish Government should lead a working group comprising the diversion partner agencies to coordinate...
10: Police Scotland should ensure that adequate supervision and quality assurance processes are in place to improve the quality of SPRs relevant to diversion.
HMICS reports by report type
Read the chart values
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Other | 61 |
| Inspection | 38 |
| Thematic | 16 |
| Assurance | 12 |
| Progress | 5 |
The chart shows the most common loaded HMICS report categories.