DPM Bečić, Minister Šaranović and Acting Director of Police Directorate Šćepanović visit Herceg Novi

Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić, Minister of the Interior Danilo Šaranović and Acting Director of the Police Directorate Lazar Šćepanović paid a working visit to Herceg Novi today, where they held separate meetings at the Municipality of Herceg Novi with President of the Municipality Stevan Katić and his team, as well as at the Security Department with police commanders, Chief of the Southern Regional Unit Petar Rolović, Chief of the Herceg Novi Security Department Dragan Kontić, and their colleagues.

During the visit, they reviewed the results of the security sector, staffing challenges and plans for further strengthening the system. The central topic of discussion was the joint project of the Ministry of the Interior and the Municipality related to the installation of a public-space video surveillance system. Significant progress achieved in recent months was noted, thanks to decisions made by the Minister of the Interior, the Herceg Novi Municipal Assembly, the work of the dedicated task team, as well as the positive opinion issued by the Personal Data Protection Agency, which has now created the conditions to enter the final phase of installing video surveillance at around 100 locations across Herceg Novi, with several hundred monitoring devices.

Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić emphasized that today’s meetings once again confirm a sound institutional relationship among the competent authorities, both in addressing current challenges and in implementing strategically important projects, expressing gratitude to the Municipality of Herceg Novi for its responsible approach and high-quality cooperation with the local Security Department.

In the security sector, we are witnessing revolutionary reforms accompanied by historic results in the fight against all forms of crime. Strengthening the system through staffing, normative improvements and operational-logistical reinforcement is the foundation of the reforms being implemented. Modernization and digitalization of work processes are at the core of our planned investments. This is why it is crucial that the expansion of the video surveillance system across the country continues, as it represents an extremely modern and effective tool for enhancing security and solving criminal offences. When it comes to staffing reforms, we are acting in three directions: recognizing and motivating experienced professionals, opening doors for young people and new energy, and cleaning the system of undue influence and compromised individuals in accordance with legal mechanisms and obligations. The public call for university graduates is nearing completion, and considering that around one hundred young people successfully completed the Police Academy a few days ago, we expect a strong injection of personnel in a few weeks, with around 500 young police officers beginning their service. We also expect a new public call for university graduates to be announced by the end of the month, and work is underway on a new legislative framework that will allow further expansion of our personnel base next year. Everything can be solved through joint effort – both staffing and operational-technical challenges – but integrity has no price and is the number one priority. One rotten apple can spoil the whole batch, undermine an operation, destabilize the system or tarnish the reputation of the state. Therefore, when it comes to integrity, there can be no compromise, as it is the foundation for building a healthy and resilient security sector, Bečić stated.

Minister of the Interior Danilo Šaranović emphasized that the greatest value lies in healthy and professional relations within the security sector.

We cannot be proud of a past in which there was not a single organized crime case without at least one police officer among the suspects. We inherited a difficult legacy and are now obliged to confront it in line with domestic and international obligations, Šaranović said.

He added that while some accuse them of conducting a political vetting process in an attempt to slow down reforms and prevent the removal of criminal influence from the system, today’s confirmations of suspensions by the Administrative Court, as well as the almost daily criminal proceedings for serious offences against many of those individuals, clearly show that the state has embarked on the path of the rule of law.

Acting Director of the Police Directorate Lazar Šćepanović noted that more than 200 new vehicles have been procured over the past year, along with part of the sophisticated and protective equipment, weapons and ammunition. Multi-million-euro construction projects have been launched, and around €2 million has been transferred to UNDP for the procurement of new police uniforms on the international market.

Šćepanović informed his colleagues that 2026 will be a development year, with a full transformation and digitalization of technical equipment that will improve work processes and facilitate police tasks and duties.

He stressed that absolute priority is given to hiring new officers and developing internal human resources, which are indispensable in the face of modern security challenges. He underlined the importance of creating a stimulating environment for police officers, improving their social status, enhancing their skills through training, and strengthening the dignity and integrity of police ethics. This, he said, ensures and develops the relationship with the community and increases public trust in institutions, because only a strong system and independent yet accountable institutions can deliver visible and measurable results.

At the meeting held at the Municipality of Herceg Novi, it was confirmed that cooperation between the local self-government, the Security Department and the Border Police is continuous, comprehensive and of exceptional quality.

President of the Municipality of Herceg Novi Stevan Katić expressed satisfaction that the public-space video surveillance project is entering its final phase, noting that around 100 locations across the city will be covered. This project, he stated, will directly contribute to public order, safety, the establishment of communal order, and a more secure state border, especially given that the municipality has five border crossings and that as much as 30% of all planned video surveillance will be placed along routes leading to those crossings.

Katić also emphasized that improving conditions in the Ministry of the Interior is crucial to making the police profession more appealing to young people, particularly along the Montenegrin coast, where living costs are higher and unemployment historically low.

Chief of the Herceg Novi Security Department Dragan Kontić highlighted that the support of the Police Directorate’s management is available 24 hours a day, which has already produced visible results.

In the area of financial crime, we have processed 88 criminal offences, with estimated damage to the state of around €4 million. This year, 65 searches have been conducted targeting members of organized criminal groups and associated individuals, while three police officers from the Herceg Novi Department have been suspended – a clear indicator that the law applies to everyone, Kontić emphasized.