2 Overview of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary
2.1 Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary ( HMCIC) is a position founded in statute and referred to within the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 11. The Act requires inspectors, under the direction of the Secretary of State, "to visit and inquire into any matter concerning or relating to the operation of a police force or of police forces12" and thereafter "submit to the Scottish Ministers a written report on the state and efficiency of the police forces"13. In general terms, prior to April 2007, each Force underwent a primary inspection every five years with two follow-up review inspections at 18-month intervals thereafter. In order to provide context for the main body of this report, the methodology for these inspections and subsequent reviews are considered below. (On 29 March 2007, when HMCIC Paddy Tomkins took up his appointment, he announced a review of inspection methodology that was underway at the time of this report.)
2.2 In addition to conducting inspections into the eight Scottish Forces, HMCIC is also responsible for the inspection of common police services such as the Scottish Police College, the Scottish Criminal Records Office and The Scottish Crime and Drugs Enforcement Agency. These bodies now form part of the Scottish Police Services Authority ( SPSA). Whilst the SPSA is responsible for the daily management of these agencies, it has been agreed that HMCIC will continue to undertake inspection of these agencies.
2.3 HMCIC also conducts periodic thematic inspections relating to the discharge of single issues of business across Forces and Agencies.
2.4 HMIC undertakes its business through the deployment of staff officers. These officers are drawn from the superintending ranks of Forces across the United Kingdom. They are generally seconded to HMIC for two or three years. This arrangement ensures currency and dynamism. Other inspecting bodies, which will be discussed below, work along different management structures, often employing more permanent staff. In common with HMIC, other inspectorates often call upon the services of short-term secondees to ensure currency.
2.5 In common with the police service in Scotland, while the primary legislation has not changed since 1967, the relationships between HMIC, Police Boards/Authorities, Forces and central government have continually developed. It is an on-going challenge for HMCIC to ensure that key stakeholders fully understand both the wide scope of the role and the practical limitations faced by the Inspectorate.