Catalogue description HM Inspectorate of Constabulary: Reports, Papers and Minutes

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary was established by the County and Borough Police Act 1856. To qualify for a government grant towards their upkeep the Act required Police Authorities to obtain a certificate of efficiency from an Inspector of Constabulary.

The Police Act 1945 provided for both an increase in the number of inspectors and for the appointment of a chief inspector. A chief inspector was not, however, appointed until 1962 following the report of the Royal Commission on the Police (Cmnd. 1728), whose main recommendations were incorporated in the Police Act 1964. At present HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary is supported by five regional inspectors.

The Inspectorate has four main functions: to carry out inspections of provincial police forces under the terms of the Police Act, 1964; to promote collaboration between forces; to encourage the application of modern techniques and the results of central police research and to provide advice to the Secretary of State and the Home Office on professional police matters.