Who we are

About HMICFRS

Next to the Home Office, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services – established in 1856 – is the senior institution in the policing landscape, as it oversees, inspects and reports upon the efficiency and effectiveness of all Home Office police forces, as well as other forces and agencies by invitation.

We inspect England’s fire and rescue services, assessing and reporting on their efficiency, effectiveness and leadership.

His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMIs), including the Chief HMI, are appointed simultaneously as Inspectors of Constabulary under Section 54 of the Police Act 1996 and Inspectors of Fire and Rescue Authorities under Section 28 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004. They are appointed by the Crown on the advice of the Home Secretary and, as independent holders of public office, appointed under Royal Warrant, they are not civil servants, police officers or fire and rescue officers.

Read more about the previous Chief Inspectors of Constabulary

His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary and His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services

Andy Cooke QPM DL

In April 2022, Andy Cooke was appointed as HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary and HM Chief Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services.

Read Andy Cooke’s biography

 

 

 

 

 

Lee Freeman KPM

Lee Freeman was appointed HM Inspector of Constabulary and HM Inspector of Fire & Rescue in April 2023.

Read Lee Freeman’s biography

 

 

 

 

 

Michelle Skeer OBE QPM

Michelle Skeer was appointed HM Inspector of Constabulary and HM Inspector of Fire & Rescue in April 2023.

Read Michelle Skeer’s biography

 

 

 

 

 

Wendy Williams CBE

Wendy Williams was appointed HM Inspector of Constabulary in March 2015 and HM Inspector of Fire & Rescue in July 2017.

Read Wendy Williams’ biography

 

 

 

 

 

Roy Wilsher

Roy Wilsher OBE QFSM

Roy Wilsher was appointed HM Inspector of Constabulary and HM Inspector of Fire & Rescue in October 2021.

Read Roy Wilsher’s biography

 

 

 

 

 

Assistant HMIs (His Majesty’s Inspector)

Shantha Dickinson

Shantha Dickinson joined HMICFRS as Assistant HMI in May 2023.

Read Shantha Dickinson’s biography

 

 

 

 

 

Nicola Faulconbridge

Nicola Faulconbridge joined HMICFRS as Assistant HMI in October 2022.

Read Nicola Faulconbridge’s biography

 

 

 

 

 

Chief operating officer

Mark Bryers Profile PictureMark Byers

Mark Byers joined HMICFRS as Chief Operating Officer in November 2020.

Read Mark Byers’s biography

 

 

 

 

 

HMICFRS board

The HMICFRS board consists of HM Chief Inspector, HM Inspectors, Assistant HMIs, and the chief operating officer.

Read more about the HMICFRS board’s remit and decision-making