What we do
Making communities safer
For over 160 years, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary independently inspected and reported on the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces – to make communities safer.
In summer 2017, HMIC took on responsibility for the inspection of England’s fire and rescue services, inspecting and reporting on their efficiency and effectiveness. To reflect this new role, our name changed to HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). We may also be invited to provide assistance to other public authorities, overseas territories and crown dependencies.
Inspecting policing and fire and rescue services in the public interest
The public want the police and fire and rescue services (FRSs) to keep people safe. It is in the public interest that the quality of policing in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and fire and rescue in England keeps improving.
We ask the questions that we believe the public would ask and use our expertise to interpret the evidence.
We inspect, monitor and report on the efficiency and effectiveness of the police and FRSs with the aim of encouraging improvement. We inspect police forces across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We also inspect law enforcement arrangements in British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, on invitation from the relevant government, as well as non-territorial services, specialist agencies and international police forces.
We also give advice to the police and FRSs, using experienced subject-matter experts who identify the best practice from which all forces and FRSs can learn to improve their performance. We encourage operational excellence and a good deal for the public in terms of value for money.
Our reports on broad policing and fire and rescue themes and specific subjects – from terrorism and serious organised crime to custody arrangements – can be found in the publications section.
Our reports are clear, accessible and statistically reliable.
Independence
We are independent of government, the police and fire and rescue authorities.
HM Inspectors are appointed by the Crown. They are not employees of the police service, fire and rescue services or the government.
In the dual role of HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary and HM Chief Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services, the Chief Inspector reports on the efficiency and effectiveness of police services in England and Wales, and on the efficiency and effectiveness of fire and rescue services in England.
HM Inspectors may be called to give evidence before committees of Parliament, and must also account for their actions to the public through the media. As is the case with all public bodies, HM Inspectors are also susceptible to judicial review.
Although our budget is set by the government, and the inspection programmes require the Home Secretary’s approval, no minister, police and crime commissioner or fire authority can interfere with the contents of an HMICFRS report or the judgment of HM Inspectors.
The Public Sector Equality Duty
We consider equality and diversity in everything we do, whether it is in relation to our role of inspecting police forces and FRSs in the public interest, interactions and treatment of our staff, or holding forces and FRSs to account.
We consider inequality and, where identified, make recommendations to improve experiences in support of the Public Sector Equality Duty. These recommendations can be found in our publications.
Please see the Equality and Human Rights Commission website for more information.