Scottish Government

Appendix A

HMIC Corporate Plan 2003 - 2006 and Business Plan 2004-2005

Introduction

The HMIC Corporate Plan provides information on strategic planning and development and includes details of progress through the annual planning process. It sets out the methodology and the organisational framework by which HMIC will encourage continuous improvement in the service offered to the public by Scottish policing in an ever changing environment.

Inspectorate Role

Inspection has a key role to play in the improvement of public services. HMIC recognises that the inspection process needs to be combined with performance management to achieve the goal of continuous improvement, a key principle of which is focusing on outcomes. The HMIC inspection process plays a crucial part in the critical analysis of performance, effectiveness and good practice in a context of Best Value and not only provides a valuable incentive for improving performance but is also an independent assurance of policing standards across Scotland, both to the public and to ministers.

HMIC is keen to strengthen the link between external review and those responsible for delivering change and will continue to work with leaders in the police service to effect change.

Key Features

Primary Inspections

HMIC conducts a rolling programme of regular inspection of forces and common police services with primary inspections taking place every five years. The full programme is available on the HMIC website and typically includes two but no more than three primary inspections each year. Forces provide initial performance information in response to HMIC protocols which thereafter provides a focus for the detailed inspection.

Review Inspections

Review inspections are conducted at 18 month intervals and focus on the progress made on areas identified for attention or improvement in the primary inspection coupled with new issues selected through an interim assessment of force performance, the findings of thematic inspections and issues of local or national concern about policing.

Thematic Inspections

HMIC also conducts thematic inspections on matters of significant importance to policing in Scotland. The topics are identified through consultation with ACPOS, individual chief constables, the Scottish Executive and Joint Police Boards/Police Authorities and represent key current topics of public interest.

Outline Programme

The resultant profile will therefore mean that, on an annual basis, the programme will accommodate 2/3 primary inspections of forces or common police services, 4/5 review inspections and 2/3 thematic inspections. Copies of all inspection reports are sent to Scottish Ministers, Police Forces, Police Authorities, Local Authorities and the media. These and other HMIC publications are available for reference:

• on the HMIC website at www.scotland.gov.uk/hmic
• in some public libraries.

Staffing and Budget

It is anticipated this programme will be achieved efficiently and effectively within existing staffing arrangements, including career development secondments, and within the current budget range.

Conclusion

It is suggested this approach has the capacity to add value to the contribution of the Inspectorate and has the potential to make a substantial contribution to the practical development of the Scottish police service over the next five years for the benefit of the public.The following tables outline our proposed schedule of Primary, Review and Thematic Inspections

Primary/Review Inspection Programme (Proposed)

Other additional considerations, such as British Transport Police or Ministry of Defence Police can be scheduled as appropriate. Should there be evidence of a need to vary the cycle based on performance or management change, the schedule can be adapted.

Thematic Inspection Programme (Proposed)

* Provisional

This programme reflects key issues of current interest/concern but can be adjusted to address emerging issues as necessary.