Scotland's police chief, Jo Farrell, requested a delay in the publication of a critical report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) concerning misconduct and discipline within Police Scotland. The report, which examined the effectiveness and efficiency of conduct and discipline arrangements, was ready for release in March but was temporarily paused following requests from Farrell and the chief executive of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), Chris Brown.
In his annual report, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) Craig Naylor confirmed that the findings were ready for publication in March 2026. However, the Chief Constable of Police Scotland and the chief executive of the SPA requested time to consider potential implications for ongoing proceedings. Naylor stated that no changes were made to the review report during the pause in publication.
The delay reportedly arose because Deputy Chief Constable Jane Connors was under investigation for alleged bullying. The report's eventual publication, after the Holyrood election, revealed that police chiefs were not meeting expected standards of professional behavior and that the force had failed to report all allegations of senior officer wrongdoing to the SPA. Officials within the SPA had also sought advice from senior officers about how to address concerns involving their peers.
The HMICS review resulted in 24 recommendations aimed at enhancing professional standards, organizational learning, leadership behavior, wellbeing support, and accountability within Police Scotland and the SPA. Critics, including the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, expressed concern that the delay risked undermining confidence in the transparency of the scrutiny process. A policing source described the decision to delay as "scandalous."