National Preventive Mechanism Annual Report 2009–10 Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland T he role of HM Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland (HMICS) is to monitor and improve police services in Scotland.42 It scrutinises the work of Scotland’s eight police forces as well as the Scottish Police Services Authority, a national body responsible for, among other things, the training of all police officers. HMICS inspects all aspects of policing, including police custody. HMICS is led by the Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland and is staffed by a team of inspectors, all of whom are senior police officers or staff on secondment from police forces around the UK. Further support, such as research and administrative services, is provided by a team of civil servants. Where necessary, HMICS will seek additional experts to provide specialist advice during inspections. Although HMICS is an independent organisation, the Scottish government may call upon it to undertake particular pieces of work. Methodology HMICS carries out inspections of individual police forces in Scotland as well as inspections covering particular themes. It has recently reviewed its methodology, introducing a more risk-based and proportionate approach to inspection activity. In deciding which forces or which themes to review, HMICS consults with stakeholders and considers assessments carried out by police forces themselves to identify any difficulties or concerns. 42 See section 33 of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967. 43 HMICS, Thematic inspection: Custody facilities (2008). 44 Following an inspection, HMICS publishes a report, including any necessary recommendations, and subsequently monitors their implementation. Recommendations arising from thematic inspections, for example, are followed up during inspections of individual police forces to ensure that good practice is being embedded throughout Scotland. In addition to its inspection reports, HMICS publishes an annual report on the state and efficiency of all police forces. HMICS also provides advice to the Scottish government on policing matters. Such advice may ultimately result in changes to legislation. Summary of activities and key issues While HMICS carried out no thematic inspections relating to police custody in 2009–10, it continued to monitor the implementation of recommendations made in three custody-related inspection reports published in the previous year. The first of these concerned the design of police custody facilities. HMICS noted that custody facilities differed across Scotland and found that there was scope for reducing the risks associated with detaining people. It recommended that police forces adopt a common approach to the design of custody facilities, taking into account relevant standards and best practice.43