Secret police from "summary" of Iron Curtain by Anne Applebaum
The secret police were a unique and powerful institution in Eastern Europe during the postwar period. They were not simply an extension of the regular police force, but rather a separate arm of the state apparatus with its own rules, procedures, and methods. Their primary function was to detect and suppress any form of dissent or opposition to the ruling regime. Operating in secret, the secret police maintained a pervasive presence in society, monitoring citizens' activities, conversations, and even thoughts. Their informants were recruited from all walks of life, creating a network of spies that reached into every corner of society. This network allowed the secret police to maintain control and instill fear among the population. The secret police used a combination of surveillance, interrogation, and intimidation to achieve their goals. They employed a variety of tactics, including wiretapping, mail interception, and infiltration of opposition groups. Interrogations were often brutal and coercive, designed to extract confessions and information from su...
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