Amendments to Section 387, Paragraph 10¹ of the Criminal Procedure Law entered into force on 28 October 2026, expanding the mandate of the Internal Security Bureau (IDB). Under the amendments, the Bureau will investigate all criminal offences committed by municipal police personnel, regardless of whether the offences were committed in the performance of their official duties or outside working hours.
Previously, the Bureau’s mandate covered the prevention, detection and investigation of violent criminal offences committed by municipal police personnel while performing their official duties.
With this expansion of its mandate, the Bureau will ensure a consistent approach to pre-trial investigations into criminal offences committed by municipal police personnel. Clearly designating a single investigative authority responsible for such cases will eliminate the previous fragmentation of responsibilities. The Bureau will carry out these new functions using its existing resources.
Igors Jaunrodziņš, Head of the Internal Security Bureau, emphasises:
“The expansion of the Bureau’s mandate strengthens its role in investigating criminal offences committed by municipal police officers and highlights the importance of preventive work. The Bureau has already involved municipal police officers and employees in educational activities and discussions addressing the prevention of criminal conduct, risk management and other relevant issues.
Going forward, it remains essential to raise municipal police personnel’s awareness of potential risks, responsible conduct and opportunities to prevent unlawful behaviour at an early stage.”
It should be noted that law enforcement authorities that were investigating criminal offences now falling within the Internal Security Bureau’s remit before 28 October 2026 will continue handling the criminal proceedings already initiated until they are completed.
On 1 November 2026, the Internal Security Bureau will mark the 11th anniversary of its establishment. Over the past ten years, the Bureau has referred more than 500 criminal cases involving approximately 600 criminal offences committed by public officials to the prosecution authorities for the initiation of criminal prosecution.
During this ten-year period, the Bureau has also reviewed nearly 11,000 submissions from natural and legal persons, conducted pre-trial investigations in more than 1,100 criminal proceedings, and carried out over 450 preventive measures, including activities undertaken in cooperation with other public administration institutions and non-governmental organisations.