In 2003, the Internal Security Bureau was established within the State Police, with the primary task of detecting and preventing criminal offences committed by employees of the State Police.
At its meeting on 30 July 2013, the Cabinet of Ministers supported the concept of separating certain functions of the Internal Security Bureau from the State Police and establishing a new public administration authority — the Internal Security Bureau — operating under the direct supervision of the Minister of the Interior. The concept provided for the creation of an institution independent of the State Police, responsible for preventive measures, pre-trial investigation, and operational activities.
On 17 December 2014, the Saeima adopted the Law on the Internal Security Bureau, defining the legal status, tasks, and competence of the institution. The Law entered into force on 1 November 2015, simultaneously with the commencement of operations of the Internal Security Bureau.
With the entry into force of the Law, the areas of responsibility of the newly established Bureau were significantly expanded. The Internal Security Bureau is now responsible for investigating criminal offences committed not only by officials and employees of the State Police, but also by officials and employees of other institutions subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior (except the State Security Service), as well as by officials and employees of the Prison Administration. The Internal Security Bureau also investigates criminal offences involving violence committed in the performance of official duties by employees of the Port Police and municipal police.