Part 1

Police reform
CHAPTER 7

Other provisions relating to policing and crime and disorder

Her Majesty’s inspectors of constabulary

Inspection programmes and frameworks
85
1
Paragraph 2 of Schedule 4A to the Police Act 1996 (further provision about HMIC) is amended as follows.
2
In sub-paragraph (1) omit “, or at such times as the Secretary of State may specify by order,”.
3
In sub-paragraph (2) for “each of those persons or bodies” substitute “the Secretary of State”.
4
After sub-paragraph (2) insert—
2A
The chief inspector of constabulary must—
a
lay before Parliament a copy of each inspection programme or inspection framework prepared under this paragraph,
b
arrange for each such programme or framework to be published in such manner as the chief inspector thinks appropriate, and
c
send a copy of each such programme or framework to each of the persons or bodies listed in sub-paragraph (2)(a) to (j).
2B
But the chief inspector of constabulary must obtain the approval of the Secretary of State to the inspection programme or framework in question before acting under sub-paragraph (2A).
.
5
In sub-paragraph (3)—
a
before “to send” insert “under sub-paragraph (2A)(c)”, and
b
for “that sub-paragraph” substitute “sub-paragraph (2)”.
6
Omit sub-paragraph (4).
7
Before sub-paragraph (5) insert—
4A
The Secretary of State may by order specify matters to which the chief inspector of constabulary must have regard in preparing an inspection programme or an inspection framework.
4B
Those matters may (in particular) include the need to secure, so far as possible, the following objectives—
a
that any requirements placed on police forces as a result of inspections carried out under section 54 are not unduly burdensome; and
b
that inspections under that section can be carried out promptly in response to matters that raise issues of national importance in relation to the police.
4C
For the purposes of sub-paragraph (4B)(b), the Secretary of State may issue guidance as to the matters that raise issues of national importance in relation to the police; and the chief inspector of constabulary must have regard to any such guidance in preparing an inspection programme or an inspection framework.
.