The role of the Independent Police Complaints Board in the democratization of the police

Abstract

In 2007, Parliament extensively amended the XXXIV Police Act of 1994 (hereinafter: Rtv.), primarily due to the expectations from the integration process and Hungary's full Schengen membership, and to facilitate the development of a unified organizational system capable of acting more effectively and efficiently to protect public order and public security. The amendment of the Rtv., according to present regulations, became possible by the assenting vote of a two-thirds majority of the Members of Parliament present, but the actual amendment of the Act required a constitutional amendment, too. As a result, the amendment of the Act also required lengthy consultation and numerous political compromises, while taking professional aspects into account. During the development process, the idea of establishing a social body to monitor the functioning of the police in accordance with the rule of law, known as the Independent Police Complaints Board (FRP), emerged and was included in the bill.