Kaitsepolitsei | |
Agency overview | |
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Formed | 1920 as the Political Police |
Jurisdiction | Government of Estonia |
Headquarters | Toompuiestee 3, Tallinn 59°25′52.1″N 24°44′16.56″E / 59.431139°N 24.7379333°E |
Agency executive |
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Parent agency | Estonian Ministry of Internal Affairs |
Website | www.kapo.ee |
The Estonian Internal Security Service (Estonian: Kaitsepolitsei, officially Estonian: Kaitsepolitseiamet, KAPO for short) is a central national security institution of Republic of Estonia. Its purposes are centered on enforcing constitutional order. The Estonian Internal Security Service has primary investigative jurisdiction in some offences committed by state officials; countering terrorism; incitement to hatred; crimes against humanity and peace, including war crimes; illegal handling and trafficking of firearms, ammunition, explosives, radioactive material or other strategic materials; and the protection of state secrets. It also fills counterintelligence duties.
The Estonian Internal Security Service is administered as an agency of the Estonian Ministry of Internal Affairs. While many of the Estonian Internal Security Service's activities are classified, its overview of the status of national security is published yearly as the Kaitsepolitsei aastaraamat.