Although procedures were initiated two months ago to pay variables to police officers hired to organize the European Union and Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Police Directorate officers have not yet received that money.
This follows from the responses provided to "Vijesti" from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP), which explained that they were paid their daily wages and overtime, but that they will receive the variable pay upon completion of the prescribed procedures and in accordance with applicable regulations.
According to earlier statements, around 2.000 police officers were deployed during the Summit.
At a press conference held on June 7, following the event, security sector leaders explained that special attention was focused on securing the movement routes of delegations and protected facilities from land, sea, and air.
Direktor UP-a Lazar Scepanovic He said at the time that among the approximately one thousand participants of the Summit, there were 32 protected persons, provided with first-level protection, which included the organization of activities at five border crossings used for the arrival and departure of delegations, as well as the security of seven routes for their movement from five directions, with a total length of approximately 350 kilometers.
He also said that, at one point, as many as 950 officers were engaged to secure protected persons and the route of their arrival and movement.
Responding to questions from "Vijesti", the Deputy Prime Minister for Security, Defense, Fight against Crime and Internal Policy Aleksa Becic, said he would support such an initiative.
He then explained that he would communicate this with the relevant minister and the Minister of Finance, in accordance with financial possibilities.
"Vijesti" then asked Bečić if, after the praise he expressed for all those engaged in that task, he would propose a salary increase for around two thousand police officers, officers of the National Security Agency, academics, employees of the Airport of Montenegro and the Army, that is, for everyone who contributed to the smooth running of the Summit.
"We will sit down and, within the limits of what is legally possible, find a way to show respect in that area as well," he said.
Minister of Interior Affairs Danilo Šaranović He then added that they are very committed to this issue and will have very concrete measures...
Received daily wages and overtime
Two days ago, Minister Šaranović's office explained to "Vijesti" that police officers deployed in Tivat were paid their daily allowances, however, they did not specify how much money was allocated for that...
"Police officers engaged in security work for the summit held in Tivat were paid daily allowances, in accordance with applicable regulations and submitted travel orders. Given the large number of travel orders issued and processed, it is not possible at this time to precisely determine the total number of police officers who were included in the aforementioned payments, nor to provide aggregate data on the total amount of funds allocated on that basis," the Ministry of Interior responded.
They also pointed out that police officers who were engaged in the implementation of complex police activities during the second quarter of 2026 were paid their daily wages and overtime:
"At the proposal of the Director of the Police Administration, the Minister of the Interior initiated the procedure more than two months ago, in accordance with applicable regulations, for the payment of the variable part of the salary, which will be paid to police officers upon completion of the prescribed procedures and in accordance with applicable regulations," they explained.
The institution said that it was not possible to pay compensation to the Police Academy students, who were also engaged in securing the summit in Tivat.
"Police Academy students are not employed in the state administration system, and in accordance with the Law on Salaries, payment of compensation for this type of engagement is not possible, and this was an opportunity for practical training for Police Academy students. Their presence and engagement represent significant practical experience that will benefit them in their future professional work," explained the UP.
In addition to police officers and Police Academy students, securing the Summit in Tivat required the engagement of a large number of National Security Agency officers and Montenegrin soldiers.
Variables paid for previous tasks
Responding to questions about whether compensation was paid to police officers who were deployed on an emergency basis during the protests in Botun, the Ministry of Internal Affairs focused on complex police actions.
"Police officers who, in the last quarter of 2025, carried out complex police operations from several regional security centers throughout Montenegro, in a scope of work that included extraordinary engagements and overtime work, and were engaged in securing high-risk security events, were paid all compensation and other income they earned based on the aforementioned engagement, in accordance with applicable regulations and records of work performed. In addition to overtime compensation and daily allowances, the engaged police officers were also paid a variable salary supplement," the Ministry of Interior said.
The European Union-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat was one of the most security-demanding events organized in Montenegro, and delegations and protected facilities were secured from land, air, and sea.
The event brought together leaders of the European Union and countries from the region, and discussed the further enlargement process, the gradual integration of the Western Balkans into the EU, the Growth Plan for the region, as well as security and strengthening resilience in complex geopolitical circumstances. The summit was chaired by the President of the European Council Antonio Costa, while the host was the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović.
Securing the event required the engagement of a large number of members of the security sector, the control of several border crossings, as well as the security of hundreds of kilometers of routes along which protected persons traveled.
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