23 Denmark Czech Republic The Independent Police Complaints Authority (IPCA) deals In situations where the police conduct investigations in criminal proceedings, the police are subject to supervision by state prosecutors: Citizens are advised to report complaints directly to the police unit involved as the protocol involves exhausting internal mechanisms before reporting to external oversight through other competent bodies such as the ombudsman. The specialized body for complaints about crimes of police officers is the Inspection of the Minister of Interior The Public Defender of Rights (Czech Ombudsman) can deal with complaints against the police, except in situations where the police are conducting investigations in criminal proceedings. for Administration) is competent to deal with complaints against the police in cases of maladministration. The Police Complaints Authority is mandated to The Public Defender of Rights defends persons against the conduct of authorities and other institutions exercising state administration if the conduct: is against the law; does not violate the law, but is otherwise defective or incorrect; if these authorities are inactive. Complaints must be made within 6 months of the incident unless the The Defender is authorised to deal with complaints against the activities of the Police of the Czech Republic, with the exception of investigations where the Police act in criminal proceedings. The Defender may open an inquiry on his/her own initiative (for example on the basis of information in the media). The Defender may conduct independent inquiries but cannot substitute for the activities of state administrative authorities and cannot cancel or alter their decisions. The IPCA was established in law by an Act of parliament (No. 404) The Defender of Rights is constituted in law and has the power to enter facilities where persons are or may be confined on the basis of a decision or an order of a public authority (e.g. a court) including police cells, prisons and asylum facilities to perform systematic preventive visits.