From a "lurker" who has experience in inspecting police forces:
Assessment Note


In assessing any unit the following should be considered;


Readiness - in terms of kit, training (including awareness of role) and numbers


Operational Delivery


Leadership


Community response


Readiness
This is well covered by David’s suggestion regarding exercises and inspections of facilities and equipment.


Operational Delivery
It is easy to fall into the trap of counting activities but that should be avoided as many such measures are directionally ambivalent, in that is more or less better? Think of rape reported any increase is always presented as a positive, as more victims are willing to come forward. However, the increase may be real!
It will be better to assess outcomes the approach to this is to start at the briefing;
Is it merely informative or does it include structured tasks?
Does the tasking regime reflect the strategic priorities? If not why not?
Is there an appropriate review and debrief in place?


Next consider operational deployment;
Are the areas deployed to routine or are the selected by reference to the mission objectives?
Are the assets deployed appropriate in terms of capability and capacity?
Is there flexibility in terms of real time decisions by the leadership?


Results
Out comes not activities should be counted, the number of vehicles stopped at a VCP is irrelevant the percentage of such stops that results in either an action or intelligence is the measure that should be employed.
The number of allocated tasks resulting from the briefing that are successfully completed should be monitored not just in terms of “jobs done” but also in terms of further actions generated.


Leadership
This can be assessed by monitoring on going improvements in the results.


It can be further assessed in terms of self generated taks and actions. Are they in line with mission objectives and are they developmental in terms of the individuals and the team.


Community Response
This is best assessed in possibly hostile environments by a mechanism for discreet and anonymous feedback. (similar to the systems used in Northern Ireland)