Badge of the Latvian security police

Along with the proclamation of independence of the Republic of Latvia on 18 November 1918, the establishment of a new security and intelligence service was necessary. On 29 July 1919, the Security Department of the Ministry of Interior was established, which was tasked to combat crime aimed at the state constitutional order. 

Law enforcement in Latvia is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior, which is composed of the State Police, Security Police and State Border Guard branches.

In 2003, the State Police consisted of 8,222 officers.

In 1994, the Law on Security and Intelligence Services was adopted which stipulated the body and legal status of security and intelligence services in Latvia. At that point, VESAD was reorganised and Latvian Security Police was established.