[3] It conducted measures to eliminate the groups of saboteurs established by the enemy which were trying to hinder the further development of the nascent country and the work of the interim government led by Kārlis Ulmanis.

In parallel the officers of the Political Section continued working on the cases initiated by the State Security Department.

Less than two months after the signature of the Latvian – Soviet Peace Treaty on 11 August 1920, which basically ended the War of Independence, the Political Security Department (Politiskā apsardzība) was established.

On 22 October 1920 Captain Voldemārs Alps (1891–1964) was appointed the first Head of Political Security Department and served until his replacement in 1922 by Pēteris Martinsons (born in 1886, year of death unknown).

The main threats to Latvia's national security at that time were posed by the various organisations of the underground Latvian Communist Party, which actively incited for rebels and tried to destabilise internal political life.

[5] On 16 July 1924 Voldemārs Ozoliņš (1891–1941) was appointed as department head and held the post for the next ten years - until April 1934.

Ozoliņš started his service in the Political Department on 11 June 1923 as an investigation officer, but after just two months on 11 August was appointed the Acting Supervisor of Riga district.

[6] On 20 April 1934 Jānis Frīdrihs Valentīns Fridrihsons (J. F. V. Skrauja since 1939, 1892–1941) was appointed the Head of Political Department - this happened right before the coup of Kārlis Ulmanis.

[7] The main challenges towards Latvia's national security remained unchanged - the subversion operations of the USSR, as well as limiting the activities of communists, fascists and other political extremists.

Its founding milestones were the modern principles about the place and role of intelligence and counterintelligence services in a democratic society.

In November 1991 the Information Department of the Ministry of Interior (LR IeM Informācijas departaments) was established - it performed the foreign intelligence and counterintelligence tasks.

In the same year the National Economic Sovereignty Protection Department was reorganised and the Security Police (Drošības policija, DP) was established.

On 27 December 1994 the regulation of DP was adopted and it tasked DP to organise and conduct foreign intelligence, counterintelligence and other measures in order to prevent or neutralize activities aimed at violent overthrowing of constitutional order or posing other threats to state security, as well as dignitary protection.

The aim of the counterintelligence measures is to identify and prevent the activities of foreign intelligence and security services aimed against the independence of the Republic of Latvia, the scientific, technical and military potential of the State, the interests of national security and other areas of vital importance to the State.

[14] VDD systematically conducts briefings for state and municipal officials to raise awareness about hostile actors and other intelligence risks.

It is ensured by implementing a number of measures aimed at preventing any attempts to unlawfully change the General Provisions set in the Constitution of Latvia - the State independence, sovereignty, democracy and territorial integrity.

The stability of the finance sector plays a tremendous role in economic security, therefore to ensure the development and sustainability of national economy it is important to identify and prevent the risks related to the financial reputation of the State.

To identify and neutralize terrorism risks VDD closely cooperates with foreign partner services and regularly exchanges information and analysis.

Among preventative measures there is also the travel control of persons originating from terrorism risk countries, regular inspections of critical infrastructure and mass gathering sites, providing recommendations for improving the physical security of these objects and educational activities for their employees.