HMICFRS and APCC publish memorandum on police and fire governance roles

Collaboration agreement formalises inspection and accountability process

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has published a memorandum of understanding with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) to define how the two organisations will work together.

The agreement outlines shared expectations for engagement, inspection, information sharing and support between HMICFRS, the APCC and individual police and crime commissioners (PCCs), police, fire and crime commissioners (PFCCs), and mayoral equivalents.

According to HMICFRS, the memorandum is designed to support a whole-system approach to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of policing and fire and rescue services in England and Wales.

The document states that HMICFRS and the APCC will maintain regular contact at leadership and operational levels, and that local relationships between HM Inspectors and commissioners will remain a central part of inspection activity.

The memorandum was signed by His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services Sir Andy Cooke and APCC Chair Emily Spurrell.

HMICFRS outlines inspection programme, engagement and monitoring

The memorandum sets out how HMICFRS will inform PCCs and PFCCs of inspections, debriefs and findings, and the options available to commissioners if they wish to request additional inspection activity.

All police forces and fire and rescue services are monitored through a two-stage system: Scan and Engage. Scan is standard monitoring and Engage is enhanced monitoring for underperforming services.

If a service enters Engage, HMICFRS assigns a lead inspector and expects collaboration from PCCs or PFCCs in developing improvement plans and attending oversight group meetings.

HMICFRS explained that it is the responsibility of the HMI to inform commissioners of decisions to enter Engage prior to public announcement.

According to HMICFRS, police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy (PEEL) inspections are conducted through ongoing assessment and key milestones, with PCCs informed in parallel with chief constables.

Inspection preparation and strategic presentation attendance

The memorandum describes the process for preparing for inspections, including strategic presentations, evidence-gathering and report debriefs.

For police inspections, chief constables decide whether to invite the PCC to strategic presentations and debriefs. For fire inspections, PFCCs may choose to attend or delegate.

HMICFRS encourages participation by commissioners at all stages of inspection to support a shared understanding of local context, performance and improvement.

During inspections, HMICFRS may request meetings with PCCs to gather relevant information, though they are not obliged to participate.

All parties are expected to keep information from strategic presentations and debriefs confidential until formal publication.

Report publication, responses and recommendations

HMICFRS sends embargoed reports to chief officers and commissioners at least 48 hours before publication for force or FRS-specific reports, or 24 hours for national reports.

Under section 54 of the Police Act 1996, PCCs must respond to relevant police inspection reports within 56 days and publish their response online and on the HMICFRS portal.

For fire services, PFCCs must develop and regularly update action plans addressing HMICFRS recommendations, published on the FRS or PFCC website.

If HMICFRS identifies urgent risks to public safety, it may issue an accelerated cause of concern. PCCs will be notified at least 24 hours before such reports are released.

APCC receives monitoring data from HMICFRS to support commissioner responses and oversight activity.

Police and fire leadership appointments and misconduct

The memorandum includes guidance on how HMICFRS may support PCCs and PFCCs during the recruitment of chief constables or fire officers.

While commissioners are solely responsible for appointments, they are encouraged to seek input from HMIs during the shortlisting and interview process.

If an HMI is not part of the panel, the commissioner may consult the inspector to gather performance background on candidates’ current organisations.

HMIs also have a statutory duty to remain informed about misconduct matters involving chief officers. Commissioners are expected to keep HMICFRS updated on such matters.

Super-complaints and engagement with wider governance structures

The memorandum reaffirms HMICFRS’s role in managing the police super-complaints process alongside the Independent Office for Police Conduct and College of Policing.

When a super-complaint is deemed eligible, HMICFRS notifies the APCC, which supports its members’ involvement in investigations and subsequent recommendation responses.

Recommendations directed at commissioners are coordinated with APCC support and submitted to the relevant agencies.

The document also confirms that the APCC participates in HMICFRS external reference groups that advise on inspection methodology, ensuring governance perspectives are included.

Governance roles of panels and statutory limitations of inspections

The memorandum clarifies that HMICFRS does not inspect PCCs but may share inspection findings with police, fire and crime panels upon request.

These panels do not scrutinise police forces or FRSs directly, but rather the way commissioners carry out their responsibilities.

If invited to a panel meeting, an HMI may attend to explain inspection findings and methodology, but will only share public information.

Fire and rescue inspections include interviews with PFCCs or governance leads to inform reports, due to the absence of formal operational independence for most UK chief fire officers.

Statutory limitations apply to what functions may be inspected or reported on in both police and fire governance contexts.

HMICFRS and APCC publish memorandum on police and fire governance roles: Summary

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has published a memorandum of understanding with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC).

The memorandum sets out how HMICFRS and the APCC will collaborate in supporting effective police and fire governance.

The agreement defines how HMICFRS will share inspection information with commissioners and how it will engage with the APCC on programme development.

PCCs and PFCCs may request additional inspections, attend strategic briefings and contribute to monitoring activity.

All police and fire services are monitored using the Scan and Engage framework.

Services placed into Engage are subject to enhanced oversight and support.

Commissioners must respond to police inspection reports within 56 days.

PFCCs must produce fire action plans addressing HMICFRS recommendations.

The memorandum outlines procedures for report debriefs, embargoes and confidentiality.

It includes guidance for leadership recruitment and conduct notification.

The APCC supports commissioners in handling super-complaints and systemic performance issues.

Panels may receive public information from HMICFRS when invited.

HMICFRS signed the memorandum alongside the APCC on 3 July 2025.