The National Protective Service (NPS) is one of the central actors in Hungary’s anti-corruption system. Its mission is to safeguard the integrity of law enforce-ment agencies, curb corruption, and strengthen public trust. The Service’s activi-ties encompass crime prevention, detection, and awareness-raising. Under the supervision of the Minister of Interior, the NPS provides professional support for governmental anti-corruption tasks and actively promotes Hungarian best practices at the international level.
Core Tasks and Objectives
Since its establishment in 2011, the National Protective Service has been entrust-ed by law with key responsibilities in combating corruption, preventing the infil-tration of organized crime into law enfor-cement bodies, and carrying out high-level investigative and protective functions.
The integrity test is one of the most effective tools in the fight against corruption, aimed at reducing abuse of office. Its purpose is to identify individuals who mis-use their official position or service obli-gations to commit crimes, thereby seri-ously damaging public confidence and undermining the reputa-tion of law en-forcement and public service.
Within its protective function, the Service acts to provide protection to members of the protected per-sonnel in cases where crimes are attempted or committed against them due to, or in connection with, the performance of their official du-ties.
The Hungarian public rightly expects members of law enforcement to meet high ethical standards. The lifestyle screening procedure ensures that members of the professional staff maintain compliance with these ethical expectations throughout their careers.
Coordination of Governmental Tasks
In the field of governmental anti-corruption policy, an organizational reform took place in the autumn of 2014. Pursuant to the Government Decree on the scope of duties and powers of members of the Government, the coordination of govern-mental anti-corruption activities was assigned to the Minister of Interior, who fulfils this responsibility with the professional support of the National Protective Servi-ce.
To carry out these tasks, the Anti-Corruption Department was established with-in the NPS on 1 Octo-ber 2014. As a result, the organization has given enhanced emphasis not only to the detection of committed offences but also to corruption prevention activities.
The long-term objective of the Service is to promote a general social attitude against corruption and gratuity payments, and to strengthen both individual and organizational values. Through its broad in-formation and communication ac-tivities, the NPS supports not only the protected institutions but also the public and private sectors, as well as the general public, in identifying and managing corruption risks.
Analytical and Methodological Support
The Service monitors and analyses the anti-corruption activities of budgetary in-stitutions and provides methodological guidance to support them. It also con-tributes to the development of effective risk ma-nagement systems.
International Cooperation
At the international level, the National Protective Service promotes and shares Hungarian good practi-ces in corruption prevention, supports the work of inter-national anti-corruption organizations, and takes an active part in fulfilling Hun-gary’s obligations arising from international cooperation and con-ventions, as well as in representing the country in relevant forums.