Our Work: HMIC
Our Advisory Function
HMIC provides professional advice and support on all aspects of policing, including operational and management matters, to police forces and Police Authorities and the Northern Ireland Policing Board. The Inspectorate is well placed to act as an agent for change.
The role of HMIC in ensuring collaboration between neighbouring forces and encouraging the sharing of new ideas, good practice and the timely utilisation of new equipment and techniques is considered important by the Home Secretary. This is achieved through the inspection and assessment processes themselves, by offering information and advice to forces; and by collaboration with other agencies such as the Audit Commission. Increasingly, HMIC undertakes joint inspections with other Inspectorates.
The work of HMIC, in ensuring that police services are delivered as efficiently and effectively as possible and meet public needs, reinforces the principles that public services should be responsive and provide high quality services which represent good value for money.
During the course of inspection and assessment, HMIs also look closely at progress made by Police Authorities and forces in building effective partnerships with both the local community and other agencies within the criminal justice and emergency systems.
The Home Secretary relies on the Inspectorate as the principal source of objective professional advice on all aspects of policing, both operational and managerial. In addition, HMIC advises on the formulation of policy proposals relating to the police, and liaises with the appropriate administrative units in the Home Office. However, HMIC does not form part of the Home Office's policy-making function. HMCIC allocates specific subjects to individual HMIs and Assistant Inspectors on which they in turn provide professional advice.
The Chief Inspector of Constabulary has the right to report to the Home Secretary on any matter considered appropriate.
Senior Appointments Panel
HMIC provides advice to the Home Secretary on the suitability of candidates seeking senior appointments within the Police Service. He provides this advice with the help of the Senior Appointments Panel.
Panel members are drawn from the Association of Chief Police Officers; the Association of Police Authorities; the Metropolitan Police Service; the Home Office; and the panel also includes an independent member.
HMIs are expected to provide advice to Police Authorities, Service Authorities and the Board of the Central Police Training and Development Authority during the selection of Chief Officers and may sit as advisers on interview panels. HMIC also provides advice on Chief Officers' nominations for honours and bravery awards.
