A number of problems remain unresolved, according to eight audits by the SAO focused on internal state security
PRESS RELEASE on the SAO's Summary Report on Internal Security for the period 2018–2024 – 11 December 2025
Between 2018 and 2024, the Supreme Audit Office (SAO) conducted eight audits focused on internal state security. It examined CZK 14.5 billion during these audits. The summary report presented shows that a number of problems remain unresolved. In the report, the SAO proposes changes necessary to increase the efficiency and long-term stability of internal security. Among other things, it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive review of inadequate legislation, fill the gaps in expertise in financial crime and cybercrime, resolve problems with outdated technology, and direct financial support to where it is most needed. At the same time, however, the summary report shows that the SAO's audits have already had a real impact on increasing the security and awareness of citizens and improving the functioning of the state.
What specific changes did the audits lead to? For example, after Audit No 22/12 on civil protection, whose outcomes were initially rejected by the Ministry of the Interior (MoI), there was a gradual improvement in public awareness. The MoI took advantage of the SAO's recommendations and, following a foreign model, sent a printed brochure entitled 72 HOURS to households this autumn, explaining how to prepare for emergency situations. The Ministry has also made an online map of shelters available, is preparing mobile applications for warning the population, and has set up a website, www.72h.gov.cz. From 2027, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, education on civil protection will be incorporated directly into the school curriculum. However, there is still a lack of revision of the inadequate legislation which is necessary for a modern civil protection system.
A similar development occurred in Audit No 21/21, which focused on the protection of soft targets, i.e., places with large concentrations of people, such as schools, hospitals and shopping centres. The MoI initially rejected the outcomes of this audit, even though the SAO pointed out a number of shortcomings. It was only after the tragic attack on the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in December 2023 that the Ministry was prompted to prepare specific measures. The SAO is now reviewing their implementation in a new (follow-up) audit.
Another topic examined was crime prevention (Audit No 18/20). The auditors found that the ministries had not set specific and measurable targets to be achieved by the financial support provided, and that the MoI had not directed support to the regions with the highest crime rates. And the impact? Financial support is now targeted precisely where crime is highest and is actually contributing to a reduction in crime.
The MoI has also taken a number of measures in the area of education (Audits No 18/30 and No 19/20). Audit No 18/30, for example, showed that despite the reorganisation, education costs rose by 35% over five years (2013 to 2018) for a comparable number of students. Or that out of 419 graduates of police academies between 2013 and 2017, only one-fifth were recruited by the Police of the Czech Republic. The measures implemented strengthened the role of the Police Academy of the Czech Republic, streamlined education spending, and increased the number of graduates joining the Police of the Czech Republic. Nevertheless, there remains a shortage of police officers, especially in specialised activities.
In Audit No 19/11 focused on security research, the SAO pointed out weaknesses in the system. The SAO's recommendations improved the use of research results, and financial support is now directed towards priorities that strengthen the security of citizens. Audit No 22/14, which focused on the state's ability to respond to natural disasters, revealed that the Integrated Rescue System (IRS) was not fully prepared in areas where such events occur most frequently. The audit also found that the Police of the Czech Republic did not prepare projects in time and did not procure the necessary equipment for the IRS. Thanks to the measures taken, this equipment is now being procured, but further investment and modernisation of outdated equipment is necessary to meet the needs of the IRS.
Audit No 20/10, which focused on migration policy, found that the benefits of migration programmes were difficult to assess because the MoI had set general objectives without measurable indicators. Based on the SAO's recommendations, the MoI created a monitoring system which makes it possible to track the actual benefits of the funds spent (e.g., for the integration of foreigners). The measures taken also contributed to managing the wave of migration from Ukraine. The results of the audit were praised by foreign audit institutions and presented in the ECA1 Journal and at international conferences.
In its summary report, the SAO also states that the Czech Republic fell from 6th place in 2018 to 12th place in 2024 in the Global Peace Index, which compares the level of security in different countries.
Communication Department
Supreme Audit Office
1] European Court of Auditors