Law enforcement in Hungary

Law enforcement in Hungary is divided into three main groups: the Police, the Border Guards, and the Customs and Excise Authority. Since 2006, the Police has been under the Ministry of Justice. This happened when the Ministry of Interior was reorganized.

Because Hungary joined the Schengen Treaty, the Police and Border Guards were combined into one national corps in January 2008. After this merger, the Border Guards became Police Officers. The Customs and Excise Authority still reports to the Ministry of Finance.

The main police headquarters is in Budapest, in the 13th District, and is known as the Police Palace.

Rendőrség (Police)

Main article: Rendőrség

The Hungarian Police is the main group that keeps order in Hungary. It is led by the National Commissioner of the Police and works for the Ministry of the Interior. The Police has many jobs. They patrol the streets, manage traffic, watch the borders, and look into crimes. There are twenty regional units—one for Budapest and nineteen for the counties of Hungary. There are also two special units: the National Bureau of Investigation for serious crimes, and the Riot Police to help local police with big operations.

Terrorelhárítási Központ (Counter Terrorism Centre)

See also: Counter Terrorism Centre

The Counter Terrorism Centre is a special police group in Hungary. It helps keep the country safe. It was started in 2011 by Viktor Orbán. This group works to stop dangerous activities. They also protect important leaders like the Hungarian prime minister and the Hungarian president, as well as important buildings. The Centre gathers information about people who might cause trouble. It works to keep Hungary safe.

Nemzeti Védelmi Szolgálat (National Protective Service)

The National Protective Service is a special police force in Hungary. It works to stop corruption among government officials. This means checking that government people are honest and not taking bribes. The service looks at both their work and personal lives for any problems.

Some people criticize this service, but similar groups exist in many European Union countries. Because Hungary has had issues with corruption, this service helps keep things fair. Since it started, there has been less corruption in public areas, including in law enforcement. The service follows strict rules to use its powers properly.

Nemzetbiztonsági Szakszolgálat (National Security Service)

The National Security Service is one of Hungary's civilian secret services. It is controlled by the Minister of the Interior. This service helps the Police, judges, and other authorities by gathering information when needed. Today, it mainly works to fight organized crime, and its actions follow the law.

Alkotmányvédelmi Hivatal (Constitution Protection Office)

See also: Constitution Protection Office (Hungary)

The Constitution Protection Office is Hungary’s main civilian secret service. It is led by the Minister of the Interior. It works on organized crime and groups that might be dangerous. It works closely with the Police and other law enforcement groups. The officers can carry firearms only for self-defense or to protect others. They can only make arrests when police officers are nearby. Their main job is to gather important information.

Municipal police services

In Hungary, there are local police forces that work in towns and cities. These officers are hired by the local government but follow rules set by the national police. They often wear blue uniforms like the national police and help keep areas safe by stopping small problems and giving out fines. They usually do not carry weapons and focus on preventing crime. If they see something very serious, they call the national police for help. Some local police can have more powers under strict rules, but they still call the national police for big crimes. There are also special rural police who help protect countryside areas.

Historical secret and other police organizations

Some important police groups in Hungary’s past were the Államvédelmi Osztály (ÁVO), also called the State Protection Department, the Államvédelmi Hatóság (ÁVH), known as the State Protection Authority, and the Csendőrség, or Gendarmes. These groups had special jobs to help keep order and safety.