West Midlands Police leadership will learn the outcome of an important inspection into the force’s effectiveness later this year.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) is currently carrying out a PEEL inspection, which assesses a police force’s effectiveness, efficiency, and legitimacy.
This is the first PEEL inspection since late 2023, when the force was placed into special measures amid worries that it was not adequately managing the risks posed by registered sex offenders. Concerns were also raised about the force’s handling of risks related to online child abuse offenders.
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Following that inspection, HMICFRS placed West Midlands Police into what is known as ‘Engage’ status, which requires enhanced monitoring. However, the force was removed from special measures just 10 months later and described as the ‘fastest improving force in the country.’
At a recent West Midlands Police and Crime Panel meeting, chair Councillor Anthony Ward inquired whether any further PEEL inspections had taken place since then.
The region’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, confirmed that a PEEL inspection is currently underway, with the final report expected in November. He also shared that the Government had recently awarded West Midlands Police a top performance grade as part of a new national police performance regime.
Councillor Ward stated that the panel would keep this matter on its ‘work programme’ to monitor the inspection’s outcomes closely and respond to any issues that may arise.
Mr Foster elaborated on the process: “The current PEEL inspection is ongoing, with inspectors conducting fieldwork for three weeks during June and July. They began gathering evidence and data earlier in January.
“The inspectors verify the data provided by West Midlands Police during this fieldwork period and aim to prepare a final report, likely in November this year.
“This will be the first PEEL inspection report since the one published on 22 December 2023.
“It’s important to note that the Government has introduced a new police performance framework. Recently, all 43 forces nationwide were assigned a level from one to four, with one being the highest and four equating to ‘Engage’ status.
“West Midlands Police have been placed in level one, the best category, based on this provisional assessment.”