Inspection Générale de la Sûreté Nationale
IGSN
Summary
The Inspection Générale de la Sûreté Nationale (IGSN) is the internal affairs inspectorate of Tunisia's national police, established within the organisational framework of the Ministry of Interior (Décret n° 91-543 of 1 April 1991, as amended). It investigates misconduct complaints — including use-of-force incidents — against national police officers, working in parallel with judicial police procedures where criminal charges are involved. The IGSN can issue administrative sanctions that are binding on the agency hierarchy, and sanctions are formally announced across police commands. It has full internal access to personnel records and operational files. However, it is entirely staffed by sworn officers reporting to the Minister of Interior, is not independent, publishes no public reports, and operates without statutory civilian oversight or external accountability. Under President Saied's post-2021 centralisation of power, the IGSN's effective operational independence has diminished further.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Executive appointment |
|---|---|
| Term length | Not specified |
| Removal standard | At will (weak protection) |
| Budget independence | Executive discretion |
| Subpoena power | No |
| Compel testimony | No |
| Records access | Full access |
| Public reports required | No |
| Pre-publication review | Executive review |
Statute
- Name
- Organisation du Ministère de l'Intérieur (Décret n° 91-543 du 1er avril 1991, as amended)
- Citation
- Décret n° 91-543 du 1er avril 1991 portant organisation du Ministère de l'Intérieur (as amended)
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
All personnel and services of the Direction Générale de la Sûreté Nationale (national police); administrative investigations, disciplinary proceedings, and onsite inspections of compliance with regulations.