Special Services

A new anti-corruption structure

The draft Act provides for the dissolution of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau as of 1 May 2026 and the transfer of its responsibilities to three institutions:

•    the Police,
•    the Internal Security Agency,
•    the National Revenue Administration, which will take over the control and analysis of asset declarations.

The new measures are intended to strengthen the coordination of anti-corruption efforts and ensure their greater effectiveness and transparency. The Central Anti-Corruption Bureau’s budgetary resources will be divided proportionally according to the responsibilities assumed. Officers and civilian staff will be able to transfer to the new structures or take advantage of acquired pension entitlements.

 

Audit results and the need for reform

Minister Tomasz Siemoniak emphasised that the proposed changes are a consequence of numerous irregularities revealed in the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau:

The history of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau is the history of a service that became politicised. Its leadership was convicted of abuse of power, and in the years 2015–2023 the Bureau became primarily associated with the abuse of operational surveillance against individuals inconvenient to those in power. Audits conducted in 2024 revealed serious pathologies in the functioning of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau.

This compelled us to submit 13 notifications to the prosecutor’s office. The proceedings of the Pegasus Inquiry Commission and the actions of the prosecution confirmed the scale of the abuses and the use of operational tools to target political opponents.

Integration of efforts in a modern model

The Special Services Coordinator, Tomasz Siemoniak, indicated that the fight against corruption should be transferred to the Police and its specialised unit:

In 2006, corruption was a more isolated phenomenon. Today, it is closely linked to organised crime and other forms of criminal activity. It is logical to place it within the Police, in the Central Bureau for Combating Corruption, whose officers will cooperate with units combating cybercrime and other threats.

The segment for asset declaration analysis will be transferred to the National Revenue Administration and fully digitalised and harmonised.

Coordination at the highest level

Under the draft Act, the coordination of anti-corruption measures will fall to the Minister for Special Services Coordination or the Prime Minister. This is intended to guarantee the continued prioritisation of the fight against corruption within state structures.

A new order for the services – security above divisions

It is in the interest of all citizens that the fight against corruption is impartial and free from political pressure. We want to create a functional system in which the Police – with appropriate powers – effectively tackle corruption. We do not need yet another special service for this purpose,’ the Minister emphasised.

If the Sejm, the Senate and the President adopt this draft, Poland will have four special services focused on national security: the Intelligence Agency, the Internal Security Agency, the Military Counterintelligence Service, and the Military Intelligence Service. The tasks of combating corruption and criminal activity will be taken over by the Police

- stated Special Services Coordinator Tomasz Siemoniak.