Guidance and Supervision of the Police Division

Medium-term, annual and specific guidelines for the Police

On the basis of a proposal from the service responsible for directing and supervising the Police, the Minister of the Interior and Public Administration issues fundamental guidelines for the preparation of the Police's medium-term development and work plan, covering a five-year period.

The service also prepares proposals for the issuance of guidelines and binding instructions for the preparation of the Police's annual work plan. Where immediate action is required in a specific area of police work, specific guidelines are prepared.

Supervision of the work of the Police

The Ministry carries out supervision in all areas of police work that are of fundamental importance to the effective and successful performance of police duties and the exercise of police powers. Supervision is carried out by staff of the Police and Security Directorate as part of regular, extraordinary and follow-up supervision. The Minister initiates supervision by issuing a written order.

Regular supervision is planned as part of the Ministry's annual inspection programme. Their purpose is to provide a comprehensive assessment of legality, respect for human rights and the situation in a particular area of police work.

Extraordinary supervision is carried out to assess legality and respect for human rights in cases that could not have been anticipated when planning regular and follow-up inspections. Follow-up supervision is carried out to verify whether irregularities identified during regular or extraordinary supervision have been rectified.

In addition, the service responsible for directing and supervising the Police carries out indirect supervision based on reporting requirements. This is intended to assess the legality and professionalism of the performance of a specific task or the exercise of a police officer’s powers.