The badge and authority of this state must rest only with those who have nothing to hide

As part of a determined and institutionally-led fight against crime, corruption, and all unlawful influences within the system, four more police officers from the Police Directorate of Montenegro have been suspended today, on suspicion of forming a criminal organization and due to identified security concerns regarding their continued service.

All individuals for whom security concerns have been identified have, in accordance with Article 176, Paragraph 6 of the Law on Internal Affairs, immediately had their official IDs, badges, weapons, and all other entrusted equipment confiscated.

For the first time in the modern history of the Police Directorate, a comprehensive and large-scale process of verifying the integrity of police officers is underway—not only through formal procedures, but also through an analysis of their lifestyle, material assets, and potential security risks. Because it is not enough to wear the uniform if one does not personally uphold the values it represents.

The hybrid operation of organized crime, connected with individuals within institutions, will no longer be shielded by the state apparatus—no matter the resistance from certain actors within the socio-political and media landscape.

The process of purging the system of all unlawful influences will not stop. I expect this process to continue even more strongly and deeply, until the very last member of the system who served the mafia instead of the state is removed. Because only a completely clean security sector can guarantee the citizens what has been denied to them for years—trust, safety, and justice.

Only those who have nothing to hide, but have something to defend—the law, the citizens, and the integrity of the profession—can and should wear the badge and bear the authority of this state.

In that spirit, I extend my full support and congratulations to the Minister of the Interior, Danilo Šaranović, and the Director of the Police Directorate, Lazar Šćepanović, who have demonstrated that there is strength, knowledge, and courage to fundamentally change the system.