The actions of the Police Directorate officers in Botun today in all segments were in accordance with the applicable legal regulations and the Rulebook on the manner of performing certain police tasks and the application of police powers, determined by officers of the Police Internal Control Department.
As announced by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP), officers of the Police Internal Control Department today witnessed the actions of members of the Police Directorate in Botun, while assisting the Municipal Police of the Capital City.
The Ministry of Interior reminded that the Municipal Police, in accordance with the Law on Internal Affairs, requested assistance from the Police Directorate after it was prevented from taking measures and actions within its jurisdiction.
"The assistance was provided with the aim of creating conditions for the smooth start of works on the construction of a wastewater treatment plant at the location in question," the Ministry of the Interior reminded.
The government department announced that several organizational units of the Police Directorate participated in this task, using the necessary material and technical resources.
It is added that this has created the conditions for the protection of the rights and freedoms of all citizens guaranteed by the Constitution and law.
"By direct presence on the ground, insight into the actual situation and the manner in which police officers acted towards the residents of Botun and other citizens who were preventing the start of the works, police officers from the Police Internal Control Department determined that the actions of the Police Directorate in all segments were in accordance with applicable legal regulations and the Rulebook on the manner of performing certain police tasks and the application of police powers," the statement says.
It is added that, during the intervention, 54 people were brought to the official premises of the Podgorica Security Department to collect information.
After that, as announced, everyone was released without detention.
"It was established that the police officers acted lawfully, within the framework of their legally prescribed powers, with full respect and protection of human rights and international standards, as well as with a strong sensitivity towards citizens, with the aim of enabling other competent services to unhinderedly undertake activities within their jurisdiction," the statement said.
It is added that, while performing official duties, police officers used the mildest means of coercion that enabled the successful execution of their official duties, while respecting personal dignity.
"On that occasion, no citizens or police officers were injured, bearing in mind that measures were taken to ensure the performance of police duties with the least harmful consequences," the statement said.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs emphasized that communication between police officers, both among themselves and with citizens, was achieved at a high level of professionalism, efficiency, and police ethics.
"While the coordination of all engaged services was assessed as extremely high quality and efficient," the statement said.
The Ministry of Interior said that they would not initiate an investigation or form a special case regarding the aforementioned actions of the Police Directorate, bearing in mind that police officers from the Internal Control Department directly monitored the application of police powers and the performance of police duties.
As stated in the statement, the Police Internal Control Department points out the need to send a suggestion to the Director of the Police Administration (Lazar Šćepanović) that, while fully appreciating the importance of objective media reporting and informing the public, in future similar situations, special attention be paid to the safety of media representatives.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs explained that, during the execution of today's task, it was noted that media representatives were allowed to physically enter the zone of potential police intervention, as well as pass through a double police cordon formation in full protective equipment.
"This further complicated the execution of the task and increased the security risk," the statement emphasized.
The Ministry of Interior reminded that public gatherings and police interventions against a large number of citizens pose a high security risk, both for police officers, citizens and media representatives.
"It is necessary that media representatives be positioned exclusively in safe places, outside of potential intervention zones, and that they are not allowed access within police formations, cordons, blockades and areas where movement restrictions apply, in order to prevent unwanted consequences and preserve the safety of all participants," the statement concludes.
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