HMIC Inspection Methodologies

Performance Management

In response to the joint ACPO/APA National Project for Best Value in Police Training, and the subsequent Foundations For Change document, a further challenge was presented to the Police Service in England and Wales, to better establish the link between operational performance and training.

In due course the Police Performance Assessment Framework will incorporate specific performance indicators within its Resource Usage Domain, which will give an over view of the training function for Forces, and enable comparison with Most Similar Force Family Groups.

HMIC (P&T) are leading on the development of a Performance Framework for forces in relation to their Training Function, linked to Home Office Circular 18/2002. This Circular listed a number of areas where Forces should start to collect and monitor data. As a result of feedback from stakeholders it became apparent that a central lead was required for this work. Further consultation took place in early 2004 and a risk assessment was undertaken in relation into each of the proposed data collection areas. As a consequence of this, a final version has been produced, and is in the process of being finalised prior to being added to this website.

Additional work is also ongoing in relation to adding a detailed training specification to the Base Line Inspection regime for Forces. This will be completed in time for the next round of Base Line work.

It is recognised that a strong, fully costed link between training and operational outcomes is required. There are significant hurdles to overcome before the Service is in a position to have this data at hand. Scoping activity is underway with a range of organisations looking at the feasibility of this requirement.