This annual report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary covers the period 1 April 2005 - 31 March 2007 and examines the efforts to improve efficiency and effectiveness of policing in England and Wales in this period. Divided into four chapters and an annex, each chapter looks at an area of policing: Chapter 1: Issues for the police service; Chapter 2: Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary work; Chapter 3: Joint working; Chapter 4: Police service performance. Some of topics covered under these chapters include: the review of policing, interim report (see ://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/news-and-publications/publication/police-reform/Review_of_policing_final_report/flanagan-final-report?view=Binary); freedom of information; personnel, training and diversity; race and diversity; special commissions, covering Jean Charles de Menezes, Iraq, the Palace of Westminster, counter-terrorism; managing sex offenders in the community; serious crime and public protection.

This report discusses the pre-appointment hearing of the preferred candidate, Tom Winsor, to the post of Chief Inspector of Constabulary. Pre-appointment hearings are to assess the suitability of the preferred candidate, but that cannot be done effectively in a vacuum and the Committee were disappointed that the Home Secretary initially refused to provide information on the selection process or the shortlist. The Committee recommends that the Government in future provide such information in keeping with the recommendation from the Liaison Committee. The Home Affairs Committee is content for the Home Secretary to proceed with Mr Winsor's appointment. This is considered against the background that his nomination was controversial. If appointed he will be the first Chief Inspector who has never served as a police officer. They urge Mr Winsor to reach out to forces, police officers of all ranks and their representative bodies to build bridges. He must create a strong relationship with forces and with police and crime commissioners. The Home Affairs Committee will take a continued interest in the work of the Chief Inspector and look forward to hearing evidence from him on a regular basis