From an anti-corruption perspective, the reaction of the security forces that served the former regime was also important in the formation of the independent republics in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. On the one hand, part of the population demanded their punishment, on the other hand, it was important to transform the security forces so that they did not rebel but continued to help maintain order in the countries.
From a legislative point of view, it was necessary to amend the Act on the Service Relationship of Members of the National Security Corps (SNB) and to adopt the Act on the Service Relationship of Members of the Police of the Czech Republic/Police of the Slovak Republic. These legislative changes led to the formation of a network of commands and directorates in approximately the same structure as is currently used. Subordination through the command to the Minister of the Interior was also introduced.
The problem, especially in Slovakia, was that this arrangement had only very broadly defined and moral rules rather than specific guidelines for procedures during criminal proceedings. Due to the lack of boundaries in powers, the security forces were abused by political superiors. This phenomenon was aided by a significant understaffing of police officers – many quit for fear of reprisals or because their pay was insufficient in the new era. It is known that there were also repeated delays in the payment of salaries during the transition. Thus, many officers allowed themselves to be corrupted and tried to please political actors.
If political power had nefarious intentions, it was relatively easy to exploit these emotions and uncertain times. An example of this was the mass shredding of StB documents at the end of the Velvet Revolution. The newly emerging Slovak leader Vladimír Mečiar did not hesitate to order these steps as soon as possible. To this day, it is clear from many witness accounts that he confiscated some files relating to business and political opponents and operated with them in the later period.
