Bečić: No place in the force for officers tied to the mafia

Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić, Minister of the Interior Danilo Šaranović, and Acting Director of the Police Administration Lazar Šćepanović, visited the Regional Security Centre "South" in Bar, where they were welcomed by the Head of the Centre, Petar Rolović, together with officers from the Bar Security Department.

Deputy Prime Minister Bečić emphasized that the visit served as an opportunity to express strong support and gratitude to all honourable and professional members of the Police Administration who serve the citizens and the state of Montenegro with integrity. He praised them as role models for younger generations and acknowledged their dedicated efforts—often at great personal risk—which have led to historic achievements in the fight against serious and organized crime.

Montenegro, under the leadership of the current Police and Ministry of Interior management, is demonstrating through tangible actions and concrete results that everyone is equal before the law, Bečić stated.

No police officer involved with criminal structures or any illegal activities will remain within the Police Administration. Those of you who serve with honour—you are the future of this system. But those who have misused the uniform to protect the mafia will no longer wear it, he added.

He went on to reiterate that the process of cleansing the security sector of criminal, corrupt, and unlawful influences is irreversible. We expect full support and partnership from all stakeholders within the institutional framework, as we must all contribute to the recovery and integrity of the security sector. We must ensure that the honourable uniform and badge never again become instruments of criminal or mafia networks, he said.

Bečić also noted the near completion of the public call for the recruitment of 815 new police officers. It is crucial that we properly value and acknowledge the work of those already in the system—our experienced officers who perform their duties diligently, honourably, and professionally. At the same time, we must inject a strong new wave of young professionals ready to develop within a healthy system of values, he said.

He underscored the importance of continuing efforts to purge all segments of the security sector of illicit influence. We need a system that upholds and promotes principles of character, integrity, public trust, accountability, and courage, Bečić concluded.

Minister Šaranović stated that the visit was not merely ceremonial, but operational in nature—focused on information exchange and tackling concrete security challenges.

We are putting an end to a difficult legacy and building a system that will resist infiltration by criminal interests, said the Minister, noting that while previous leaderships were allied with the mafia, the current administration stands solely with honourable police officers and the citizens of Montenegro.

He announced the revitalization of intervention units and the strengthening of rapid response capacities, affirming full support for police officers in their pursuit of improved working conditions and greater public trust.

Acting Director of Police Administration Šćepanović reiterated that the internal fight against corruption is not yet over.

The overwhelming majority of officers perform their duties with honour and responsibility, but some remain who have tarnished the police profession through their ties to organized crime. To them I say—this internal cleansing process will reach you as well, he added.

He highlighted the decades-long neglect of working conditions but assured that the current leadership is committed to rectifying that situation.

Šćepanović commended the achievements of the “South” Regional Centre but stressed the need for additional staffing and technical resources, especially ahead of the tourist season. He announced that, starting mid-May, the Special Police Unit would be permanently stationed along the coast.

In reference to recent suspensions, he sent a clear message: “Those on the mafia's payroll will be required to return the badge they have disgraced.”

Petar Rolović, Head of the “South” Regional Centre, noted that in the past month in Bar, the crime clearance rate for cases with unknown perpetrators reached 99 percent—an unprecedented result in the history of the Police Administration. He emphasized that the security situation remains stable and that officers are working around the clock to maintain it.