HM Inspectorate of Constabulary

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary for England and Wales (HMIC) has statutory responsibility for the inspection of the police forces of England and Wales. HMIC is headed by the Chief Inspector of Constabulary.

Inspections may also be made, by invitation only, and on a non-statutory basis, of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man Constabulary.

In England and Wales, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary is responsible to the UK Parliament. The first inspectors were appointed under the County and Borough Police Act 1856; current statutory functions are contained in the Police Act 1996 and related legislation. However, HMIC's principal statutory functions are unchanged since its establishment in 1856 - to assess and report on the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces in England and Wales.

The Inspectorate reports on the activities of the territorial forces of England and Wales and other bodies involved in law enforcement, such as the British Transport Police, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, HM Revenue and Customs and the National Crime Agency.

Reporting has also been performed on a voluntary basis for the Special Investigation Branch (SIB) of the Royal Military Police.

As a public authority, HMIC is susceptible to judicial review.

HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary between 2009 and 2012 was former Surrey Police Chief Constable, Sir Denis O'Connor. In June 2012, the lawyer and former rail regulator Tom Winsor was nominated to succeed Sir Denis. His nomination was approved in August 2012 and he took office on 1 October 2012. Winsor is the first Chief Inspector to be appointed from outside the police service.

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