External Inspections
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire& Rescue Services (HMICFRS) independently assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of police forces and fire & rescue services - in the public interest.
In preparing their reports, they ask the questions which citizens would ask, and publish the answers in accessible form, using their expertise to interpret the evidence. HMICFRS provide authoritative information to allow the public to compare the performance of their force against others, and HMICFRS's evidence is used to drive improvements in the service to the public.
Independence
HMICFRS is independent of Government and the police:
- HM Inspectors of Constabulary are appointed by the Crown - they are not employees of the police service or government.
- HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary reports to Parliament on the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces in England and Wales.
- HM Inspectors have powers to seek information from police forces and to access their premises.
Public interest
HMICFRS decides on the depth, frequency and areas to inspect based on our judgements about what is in the public interest.
In making these judgements, HMICFRS consider the risks to the public, the risks to the integrity of policing, service quality, public concerns, the operating environment, the burden of inspection and the potential benefits to society from the improvements that might arise from the inspection.
HMICFRS's annual inspection programme is subject to the approval of the Home Secretary in accordance with the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.
Responses to HMICFRS reports
View responses to HMICFRS reports from the Police and Crime Commissioner.