Commonwealth Investigation Service
CIS
1946 – 1960
Previously Commonwealth Investigation Branch (1919–1946).
Plain-clothes federal investigation service of the Attorney-General's Department, investigating offences against Commonwealth law and, until 1949, carrying out security intelligence work.
Names over time
- Commonwealth Investigation Branch1919–1946
- Commonwealth Investigation Service1946–1960
How it came into existence
Formed in 1946, when the Investigation Branch of the Attorney-General's Department was reorganised and renamed after the Second World War and absorbed the wartime Commonwealth Security Service; Eric Longfield Lloyd was its director.
- Investigation of Commonwealth offences
- Security intelligence
The National Archives describes the Investigation Branch as reorganised and renamed after the war.
- Security intelligence
Changes during its life
- Security intelligence
- Counter-espionage
How it ended
Amalgamated with the Peace Officer Guard in 1960 to form the Commonwealth Police Force, supplying its plain-clothes detectives.
- Investigation of Commonwealth offences
Main functions
- Investigation of offences against Commonwealth law
- Security intelligence (until 1949)
- Immigration and naturalisation inquiries
- Inquiries for Commonwealth departments
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Attorney-General's Department.
Lineage
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Sources
Government records and websites
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.