The leadership of the Ministry of Interior and the Police Directorate will make no compromises with crime or with officers who are not immune to connections with organized criminal groups (OCGs), said Interior Minister Danilo Šaranović.
Earlier, the Police Directorate announced that officers in Tivat had arrested a suspended police officer, S.V., who was reportedly close to one OCG. Reacting to the case, Šaranović stated that this is not just about whether police vetting is needed it is, unquestionably. The only question is how quickly it should be implemented.
“If we’ve declared the fight against crime as a top national priority, then there can be no compromise when it comes to integrity within the police. This leadership at the Ministry and Police will not make any. Not with crime, and not with officers who are vulnerable to criminal influence or ties to OCGs,” Šaranović said.
He emphasized that ensuring absolute integrity in the police force is not just a goal, but a prerequisite for continuing the fight against organized crime.
Šaranović added that recent hybrid attacks and efforts to halt internal reforms only confirm the need to push forward.
“Anyone who cares about a secure state should support us in creating the best working conditions for the police, shielding them from criminal influence, and parting ways with any officer who chooses loyalty to organized crime over the Constitution, law, and professional integrity,” he concluded.
He warned that officers acting contrary to this mission will face consequences. “The era of individuals within our ranks serving criminals instead of the state is over. It’s time for the state to stand firmly behind honest police officers who still make up the vast majority of the force,” Šaranović said.
It’s encouraging to finally hear direct and firm language like this from a top official. For too long, criminal influence has been treated like a dirty secret in policing acknowledged, but rarely acted upon. Šaranović’s words won’t fix things on their own, but they do draw a line. Still, the real test lies ahead: how consistently these principles are enforced and whether the “tempo” he mentions is fast enough to match public expectations. It’s not just about cleaning house it’s about rebuilding trust in one of the most critical institutions in a democracy.
Written by our correspondent A.A.
