Police force remains independent but close to judiciary (5)

I believe the answer is:

stasi

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'police' is the definition.
(I have seen 'secret police' mean 'stasi' so perhaps 'police' could also mean 'stasi')

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stasi that I've seen before include "East German Secret Police" , "Former security force" , "Secret police of the former German Democratic Republic" , "Force behind Wall" , "old secret service" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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