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So I just read Fire Caste. And in it (spoilers coming) the Commisar doesn't carry out his duty to execute those (ie a renegade commander) who shun the imperium or flee. Is this common? Because I always thought Commisars were so loyal that if you were even a minute step out of line, you're dead.

In a enternal war involving so many even if only .0000000000000001 percent fall to live up to their code the number will still be massive....

The answer of course is the ......

drum roll .....

So the answer for "how often do Commissars fail" is the Inq? Now I've nothing against the Inquisition, personally think they're awesome, but I digress. They are the most loyal (unless you read Death of Antagonis) and set the example to the commissars of loyalty unswerving. And yes, it probably is a large number even if the percentage is actually tiny. Thanks

The franchise does not intend to portray a universally consistent setting. The personal interpretation of novel authors may (and often does, if you know what to look for) deviate from what you read in a Codex.

Ultimately, it is left to you as the individual reader/gamer to decide what you would prefer.

Sometimes, contradictions can be argued away as exceptions or it being "a big universe", but other times it is better to simply settle for different people having different ideas.

It depends on the commissar. Each have their owbn methods. Some will kiill, some will befriend and encourage. Others might manipulate etc the list goes on. As long as their men are faithful (with the help of the friendly priest) and fighting they have done their job. They are trained to do anything they deem fit to keep the moral. If the troops arent fighting ir are running in the wrong direction only then, they have failed and chances are they wont be alive long enough to even meet the inquisition. But i am doubtful that the Inquisition even looks into this on a regular basis.

Very true. However this Commissar outright refused to shoot the leader of the rebellion, instead engaging in a nice natter until he was disarmed and the Tau shot him instead, before driving a ship full of Tau and Guardsmen, with no Geller field, into the Warp. That's not bad methods IMO, that's simply failing.

Lynata you're right this isn't canon, I purely wondered if there are any other cases of this (a Commissar not doing his job, basically) out there

Based on real life (dodgy in relation to 40k, I know), dereliction of duty exists at all levels of anything. Despite the ultra-Imperium-friendly upbringing, Commissars probably wouldn't be exempt, but the amount of them "misbehaving" would be extremely low.

Reiterating the above, the Black Library often deviates from rulebooks and codexes. With anything like this, pick black, white, or any shade of grey in between- whatever produces the most fun while playing with your wardollies will be just fine.