By the Decree of the President of Ukraine №40 of January 15, 1992 the Department of Protection of Senior Officials was established, later on June 8, 1992 the department was renamed to the Department of the State Protection of Ukraine by the Decree of the President of Ukraine № 334. In 1998, the Law of Ukraine «On State Protection of Public Authorities of Ukraine and Officials» was adopted.
According to the Law of Ukraine «On State Protection of Public Authorities of Ukraine and Officials» the Department of the State Protection of Ukraine is a state law enforcement body of special purpose, subordinated to the President of Ukraine and controlled by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
The general structure and number of the Department of the State Protection of Ukraine are approved by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on the proposal of the President of Ukraine. The activity of the Department of the State Protection of Ukraine is managed by the Head of the Department of the State Protection of Ukraine, who is appointed and dismissed by the President of Ukraine. The Head of the Department of the State Protection of Ukraine has deputies, who are appointed and dismissed by the President of Ukraine upon his submission. Other officials of the Department of the State Protection of Ukraine are appointed and dismissed by the Head of the Department of the State Protection of Ukraine.
State protection is provided to the President of Ukraine, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine; The Prime Minister of Ukraine; Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine; Chairman of the Supreme Court; First Deputy Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine; First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Attorney General.
The Department of the State Protection of Ukraine is entrusted with the following tasks: state protection of public authorities of Ukraine; protection of officials at their places of residence both on the territory of Ukraine and abroad; ensuring the safety of family members of officials who live with them or accompany them; prevention, detection and termination of infringements on officials, members of their families and public authorities, protected by the state; protection of facilities; ensuring safe exploitation of vehicles intended for officials; participation in events aimed at combating terrorism.
State protection is also provided for heads of foreign states, parliaments and governments and members of their families, foreign ministers and heads of international organizations (other officials of international organizations) who arrive in Ukraine or are on its territory as part of official delegations or visit at the invitation of public authorities of Ukraine. The list of officials of international organizations protected by the state shall be determined by the President of Ukraine.
In addition, state protection is provided for facilities where perform their duties the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the President of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, the Supreme Court, buildings and special vehicles in their use, other places of permanent and temporary stay of persons who are protected in accordance with this Law, important state facilities, adjacent territories and waters designated by the President of Ukraine.
In its activities, the Department of the State Protection of Ukraine is guided by the Constitution of Ukraine, laws of Ukraine «On State Protection of Public Authorities of Ukraine and Officials», «On Operative Searching Activity», «On State Secrets» and other regulations.