State Inspections Agency

State Inspections Agency (SIA)

SIA Logo
Agency overview
Formed	25 December, 2000
Preceding agencies	Institute for the Advancement of the Sacred Vision Federal Security Service
Type	Domestic Intelligence Agency, Secret Police, Political Security Service
Headquarters	Asylnis Palace, Amláis, Valtrissia Province
Motto	"Pour tout savoir, au service de Dieu" "To know all things, in service to God"
Employees	Classified
Annual budget	Classified
Agency executives	Ameline Etienne, Principal Director Syran Ezhilar, Director of Operations
Website	sia.vlt.gov

The State Inspections Agency (Veltrian: L'Sétat d'Inspection Agence) (commonly referred to as The Agency, the SIA, the Secret Security Service, and informally, the Eyes of the Dominion) is the internal security service of the Sanctified Dominion of Veltria - performing the dual functions of both an intelligence gathering agency and secret police force under the Dominion's Unitist government. Operating under the administration of the Department for State Security (DSS), the SIA officially maintains 26 field offices throughout the Sanctified Dominion and its overseas territories, as well as an undisclosed number of operational stations in Veltrian embassies and consulates internationally.

Unlike its sister organization, the Central Investigations Bureau (which serves as Veltria's primary criminal investigative service under the Department of Justice), the SIA is charged with the security of the Sanctified Dominion's theocratic political system - maintaining sole jurisdiction over counterintelligence operations and investigations into subversive political threats to national unity and regime integrity. Frequently engaged in hybrid investigatory and security duties, the SIA is unique among its other departmental counterparts for its broad authority to adjudicate moral infractions and (more controversially) coordinate the Sanctified Dominion's nationwide apparatus for the enforcement of Astąhvist social doctrine among the Veltrian public.

Though primarily preoccupied with its domestic security mission, the SIA also maintains a highly specialized foreign intelligence collection arm - the Directorate of Operations - which allegedly engages in unilateral covert action and clandestine operations against Veltrian political dissidents who seek asylum abroad.

History

Established in 2000 by the ascendant government of Consul Arturs Vectirāns following the overthrow of the Aylanian Federation, the SIA effectively merged Aylania's Federal Security Service with the doctrinal enforcement arm of the Veltrid Magisterium - the Institute for the Advancement of the Sacred Vision. The latter's incorporation into the Agency, in effect, established the SIA as the oldest continually existing Veltrid Magisterial service - with some departments tracing their linage back to the Neuzpērkamaii of the ancient Veltrid Kritarchy - an order of Astąhvist judges established in the 2nd century B.C.E. which served as an investigatory body to purge heretical movements.

21st Century

File:SIAWikiFathers.png

Director Andrus Veylá (left) and Councilor Lukas Casmôr (right), two orchestrating members of the Unitist Revolution, are considered the fathers of Veltria's modern SIA.

Mission

The Asylnis Palace in Amláis serves as the SIA's national headquarters.

The Code of Republican Union, promulgated by the first Unitist administration under Consul Vectirāns, officially established the State Inspections Agency in 2000 - consolidating the Federal Security Service of the overthrown Aylanian Federation and the Institute for the Advancment of the Sacred Vision under a single Consular agency. While the Department of Justice's Central Investigations Bureau is empowered to investigate criminal acts to preserve lawful order, the SIA is theoretically dedicated to the protection of the political institution that gives the "national will" power and purpose - the ruling Unitist Party, guided by the principles and doctrine of the Velrid Magisterium. Designed from its inception to function as "the ubiquitous custodian of accountability" for all Veltrian citizens and civil servants, the SIA vigorously upholds and defends what it regards as the "twin pillars of the Nation" - the "sacred doctrines of the Faith and Party" - from perceived enemies “both foreign and domestic” (Article 88). Like the Apostolic Guard (GSA), the SIA falls administratively under the Department for State Security (DSS), and is similarly removed from much of the legislative oversight that the Supreme National Congress wields over other Consular institutions. The isolation and purging of heretical movements remains a substantial focus for a handful of SIA departments, though most of the Agency's day-to-day activities are dedicated to defending Unitist institutions from threats stemming from "corruptible" elements of the general public and elected government. The SIA recruits extensively from within the Magisterial University system, though provincial offices have also been known to frequently tap applicants from all rungs of Veltrian society. The Agency also recruits heavily from within the ranks of the GSA for security section personnel and covert action operatives (allegedly, because GVR troops are already thoroughly vetted and sworn to uphold the security, sanctity, and integrity of Veltria's Unitist political system).

Administrative Structure

Section G-9 personnel operate throughout all territories of the Sanctified Dominion.

The SIA boasts a diverse collection of specialized departments dedicated to carrying out the Agency's prosecutorial, investigatory, and security functions. Many of the SIA’s law enforcement functions mirror those of Department of Justice's Central Investigations Bureau (CIB), though specifically the SIA is tasked with the protection of the Unitist political system, not the nation at large. Similarly to the Strategic Information Service (SIS), the SIA collects and analyzes human and electronic intelligence (though its role as a regime security agency permits it to collect both domestically and in foreign territory, protecting Party and Magisterial institutions against threats from both realms). The SIA has reportedly conducted clandestine operations and investigations, in the interests of "national security," within the borders of international allies and adversaries alike – though always at the behest of a Consular directive. The SIA's own internal regulations bear stark resemblance to similar provisions binding the Veltrian Armed Forces, though international observers have noted the SIA wields significantly looser authority to operate under Consular discretion than any of the Sanctified Dominion's other security institutions.

Answerable officially to the Veltrian Consul, the SIA is administered by an appointed Principal Director (who also serves as a member of the Collegium of Apostles) and an advisory body of eight, eminently-qualified scholars of Magisterial Law - known as the Cloistered Council. While overall executive control of the SIA rests with the Principal Director, day-to-day management of investigations, security operations, and surveillance fall to a handful of subordinate Directors, who preside over the SIA's Chief Directorates and provide the Cloistered Council with advisory expertise in their respective fields. Due to the nature of the work performed by the Agency, most details regarding its official administrative organization remain undisclosed to the public. Despite this aura of secrecy, the existence of a handful of directorates have been confirmed by Veltrian authorities in previous years, while a multitude of directorate subsections have been speculated from gleaning the few internal SIA documents that have leaked to the public. International watchdog organizations have noted that, while most portions of the Agency's administrative structure remain under the control of civilian officials, documents detailing the SIA's internal structure also indicate the presence of a significant militarized component as well - generally oriented towards policing purposes, but with several units also capable of carrying out sensitive clandestine and covert operations.

First Chief Directorate

Section 66V unit insignia.

The SIA’s First Chief Directorate, colloquially referred to as the “Directorate of Operations” or "CD-1," serves as the Agency’s primary covert action and foreign espionage branch. Much of CD-1 is oriented to reportedly supply the Unitist government with intelligence collected on potential threats of foreign origin, and boasts an extensive array of subsections to carry out a variety of tangential tasks - including the recruitment of foreign contacts, collecting raw political, scientific, and technical intelligence, tracking and targeting foreign enemies of the Sanctified Dominion, and training covert operatives for field work. CD-1 is also reportedly responsible for the administration of the highly secretive Section 66V, which has been accused in recent years of conducting operations to exert political influence on foreign countries, as well as organizing kidnappings and assassinations to advance Veltria’s security interests both at home and abroad.

Section	Function
Section H1	Foreign Espionage Division. Manages the Chief Directorate's foreign collection operations and intelligence activities. Responsible for the maintenance of the Magisterium’s international network of clandestine agents and foreign informants.
Section 66V	Colloquially known as the "Velphár" Section, Sec.66V is responsible for the tracking and monitoring of wanted persons by the Veltrian government who have fled abroad. Though claimed to exclusively function as an intelligence gathering arm, Sec.66V operatives have allegedly been responsible for (or indirectly involved in) the assassination of several Veltrian nationals on foreign soil. Domestically, the Section administers specialized detainment units (the "Velphár-Dari," or Sec.66V-D) tasked with managing "specialized" tracking, capture, and neutralization operations on internal enemies of the Veltrian state, who for whatever reason, could not be conveniently detained by Section G-9 personnel under the Second Chief Directorate.
Section ES-2	Responsible for monitoring and ensuring the reliability of magisterial leadership in foreign countries. Case officers operate secretly while in-country - managing a network of foreign informants to keep tabs on the movements and activities of Astąhvist religious officials.
Section 89C	Colonial Intelligence "Sorra" Unit. Responsible for coordinating inter-Section cooperation in overseas territories of the Sanctified Dominion.

Second Chief Directorate

The SIA’s Second Chief Directorate, colloquially referred to as the “Directorate of Vigilance” or "CD-2," serves to protect the Unitist government from domestic threats, and coordinates the enforcement efforts of multiple state agencies engaged in preserving communal adherence to Astąhvist social doctrine. Subsections of CD-2 reportedly gather intelligence on subversive religious and political groups within the Sanctified Dominion, and employ various agents and assets to neutralize those movements deemed “inherently hostile” to Unitist interests. CD-2 is also reportedly responsible for the management of a network of spies within the Veltrian government and military, reporting on the loyalties of high-value officials and field units, as well as monitoring diplomatic envoys who travel to the Sanctified Dominion from foreign nations.

Section	Function
Section 22D	Responsible for clandestine surveillance of foreign nationals within the Sanctified Dominion. Allegedly engages in routine monitoring of foreign embassies, consulates, diplomats and envoys of USI member states, as well as visiting citizens.
Section V5	Counter-Espionage Division. Tasked with monitoring operations of other foreign intelligence services, as well as identifying suspected foreign agents and domestic sympathizers. Various sub-departments are also responsible for the protection of Veltria's economic and industrial infrastructure.
Section 71B	Oversees and administers Veltria's border patrol forces and border checkpoint facilities. Tasked with monitoring the movement of material goods and persons to and from Veltrian territories.
Section G-9	Colloquially known as the "Inspectors Vigilant," the personnel of Sec.G-9 are the SIA's primary "foot presence" across the Sanctified Dominion - enforcing censorship laws, as well as collecting information on internal political and religious dissidents. Other official functions include coordinating the detention and transportation of accused persons for official inquiries, and working with local and provincial law enforcement to collect evidence for investigations. The Inspectors also function as SIA liaisons to the Citizens Vigilant - passing on credible information of seditious activity collected by Citizens to the SIA's specialized investigative sections. It's secretive "M" branch is reportedly charged with monitoring postal communications.
Section AF-1	Responsible for gauging the loyalty of the national armed forces. Allegedly operates a clandestine network of agents within Veltria's various military branches and the Apostolic Guard.
Section K10	Monitors and reports on the "witness" and conviction of Veltria's educational institutions.
Section 4W	Waste Collection and Analysis Bureau. Manages the collection and analysis of illegal articles disposed of by citizens, foreign nationals, and other persons of interest. Also administers a network of liaisons and informants within domestic waste disposal companies.

Third Chief Directorate

The SIA's Third Chief Directorate, colloquially referred to as the “Directorate of Divine Justice,” facilitates the execution of the Agency's judicial, punitive, and in the case of some subsections, administrative duties. Unlike the SIA's four other known Directorates, the Director of CD-3 must be a vested Apostle within the magisterial clergy, and a practitioner of Magisterial Law. While not always a sitting member of the Cloistered Council, the CD-3 Director (or a designated deputy) is required to attend Cloistered Council meetings when the council is reviewing appeals from lower SIA courts. In addition to administering Veltria's magisterial courts, CD-3 and its subsections are also tasked with the maintenance of SIA corrections facilities, legal advisory services, document storehouses, and specialized personnel training for other Directorate subsections.

Section	Function
Section 6I	Special Interrogative Unit. Conducts examinations ordered during court inquiries and criminal investigations. Draws most operatives from longtime SIA employees, though it has been known to tap ex-military personnel. Also responsible for training interrogation service personnel for the Strategic Information Service (SIS).
Section L1	Colloquially known as the "Office of Divine Inquiry," serves as the SIA's primary judicial organ. Section manages the day-to-day functions and proceedings of Guardian Courts, convenes and conducts state inspections, and issues sentences in accordance with Magisterial Law. Various sub-courts with specialized jurisdictions exist, though little is known with certainty about their functions.
Section 15Z	SIA detention and corrections facility security force. Responsible for overseeing the day-to-day running of SIA prisons and correction offices.
Section 91L	Administrative Cataloging and Logistics Office. Coordinates movement of trial documents, maintains comprehensive record of most SIA operations.
Section L12	Office of the General Counsel. Internal legal advisory branch - advises and informs SIA operators on legal boundaries and regulations.

Fourth Chief Directorate

Officially separated from CD-2 and given full "specialized directorate" status by Consul Valik Sindaris in 2011, the Fourth Chief Directorate, more commonly referred to as the Secret Security Service (SSS), serves as the dedicated bodyguard force for members of the national Veltrian government, their families, and specific state infrastructure considered of "vital national importance" (including the Veltrid Senate building, executive department headquarters, and the Senate Library). The SSS is also responsible for overseeing the security of both public and clandestine SIA facilities, administering top-secret communication systems used by state officials, and providing protective personnel for SIA leadership.

Fifth Chief Directorate

Established as part of the Veltrian government's response to the widely publicized cyber attack on the Vontíris Stock Exchange in 2011, the Fifth Chief Directorate drew together all previously existing SIA signals and electronic intelligence sections (most notably, the First Chief Directorate's Section 688E and the Second Chief Directorate's Office of Communications) into a single administrative branch. Reportedly divided into various subsections responsible for foreign SIGINT/ELINT collection, cyber-defense, and domestic communications monitoring, CD-5 remains one of the most intensely secretive SIA entities in present existence.