Police inspections in 2009/2010

Summary

Follow up action, as appropriate, to check progress with improvement plans produced in response to the individual inspections which took place during the national inspection programme in 2006 – 2008.

Aim

Follow up action, as appropriate, to check progress with improvement plans produced in response to the individual inspections which took place during the national inspection programme in 2006 – 2008.  Reactive work to be linked back to the summary report of these inspections where possible to extend the influence of this programme beyond those forces that were actually inspected.

Justification

The inspection programme had a high profile within the police service nationally.  HSE’s contact with the police service continues to generate considerable media interest and political scrutiny.  Further reference to the summary of our findings and recommendations will extend the effectiveness of the programme, reinforce the messages about management of health and safety generally and demonstrate continuity and consistency in our approach to the police service.

Audience/industry

Police Authorities, Chief Constables, and Senior managers within the police service.

Messages

Raise awareness of the importance of effective health and safety management and the need for leadership on health and safety from senior managers and police authorities.

Activities required

No new interventions to forces by the national police inspection team (and police team in Scotland) are planned in 2009/10.
Follow up work with forces inspected in 2006-2008 should continue.  All forces have been requested to produce annual health and safety improvement plans which take into account the recommendations of the Summary Inspection Report 2007/08. (See Public Services Sector Online Community pages).
Reactive work should include a review of progress against these plans and the recommendations of the Summary Report where appropriate.

Timing

Starting in April 2009 until March 2010.

Diversity

Inspectors should be aware of who (in terms of diversity e.g. men, women, disabled etc) is the target group in the sector they are dealing with. Give consideration to, and factor into the approach, any issues that may surround this audience such as literacy issues, English as a second language and disability (access needs).
The Diversity pages give more information on these areas and others, including the Communications and EIA toolkits.

For information

Regulators should also be aware of the discussions taking place between HSE, ACPO and other major stakeholders within the policing sector which is to lead to the development of a set of agreed principles determining the balance to be achieved between operational and health and safety duties and a revision of internal operational instructions.