NOTTS Police do not always follow official procedure when using stop-and-search powers, inspectors have found.
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary has completed a review of how the force uses its search power as part of a national study.
In Notts, it said, not everyone who was stopped was able to apply for a record of the search – an entitlement under law.
This was because "lapses" meant stop-and-search forms were not always completed by officers, the report says, such as during special operations or when officers were busy.
Supervision of officers' use of stop-and-search powers was also said to be limited.
Training has been expanded in the force since last summer to tackle concerns about the number of black and ethnic minority people being stopped and searched.
Across the country, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary found that forces failed to record the "reasonable" reasons for using stop-and-search powers in a quarter of cases.
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Torr of Notts Police said: "Over the last year, we have introduced a number of key measures to ensure that officers use stop-and-search powers fairly, responsibly, with respect for those who are being searched and without unlawful discrimination.
"There has been significant progress in the way stop and search is recorded, and training is continuing for frontline officers to reiterate the importance of conducting searches appropriately."
