When an intelligence service has tremendous power it does not matter what the constitution says, the country is de facto a police state.
You might remember this scene from Unification, it strongy implies that the Tal Shiar style is omnipresent. A society in which ordinary servers fear to be surveiled is anything but free. As I tried to explain, Romulus has to be a police state just like Vulcan society has to be rigid and soaked into ancient, utterly illogical rituals lest anybody questions the dogmas of these two societies that guarantee that the violent Vulcanoid emotions are channeled somewhere.
In other words, the Tal Shiar is not coincidentally as powerful as it is and if the Rommies could just organize themselves they could cut off their balls, no, it is essential for Romulan society to work like this. If there were some high principles of freedom they would be fake, just like Vulcan's high principle of logic is fake in the case of their stupid ancient rituals like arranged marriage.
PICARD: Do you happen to know what time the intercessor's office across the way opens?
WOMAN: Why do you want to know?
PICARD: I need his services. He was recommended.
WOMAN: I haven't seen you here before.
DATA: We are here for the day, from the city of Rateg.
WOMAN: Rateg? I don't think so.
DATA: Why do you say that?
WOMAN: You don't sound like you're from Rateg.
DATA: It is a misconception that all Rategs speak with a particular inflection. In fact, there are twelve different
PICARD: We come from several kilometres outside the city.
WOMAN: Or perhaps you come from the security forces to watch the intercessor's office. Is he in trouble?
PICARD: You're mistaken, madam.
WOMAN: Doesn't matter to me. I don't know when he opens. Eat your soup, courtesy of a loyal establishment. Jolan tru.
