Norway strengthens security — Montenegro seeks answers: Lessons from the tragedies in Cetinje

Fourteen years after the terrorist attack that rocked Norway, the country has almost fully implemented the recommendations of an independent commission, which was formed at the suggestion of the local government. From strengthening police capacity to modernizing communication systems, Norway has built a stronger and more resilient system from the tragedy.

“Many of the proposed measures have been implemented. The police and emergency services are now better prepared for terrorist threats than they were fourteen years ago. Operational readiness has improved, police operations centers are larger, and helicopter capacity is significantly better,” says Olav Roneberg, TV 2 in Norway, who covers security topics.

The 2011 attacks revealed serious weaknesses: inadequate protection of the government complex, slow police response on the island of Utoya, poor coordination between agencies, and the untapped potential of modern technologies. The commission recommended a set of systemic changes at the time – from training and operations centers to strengthening cooperation between intelligence structures.

According to Roneberg, it is in the operational segments that the greatest progress has been made:

"Operational readiness has clearly improved, police operations centers are larger, and helicopter capacity is significantly better," adds our interlocutor.

Norway responded quickly and systematically. One of the most significant changes was adopted the same year – the general arming of the police. For decades, Norway was known for the fact that police officers did not carry weapons on regular patrols. This changed on July 1, 2011, when a parliamentary decision came into force, which the authorities justified by the need for a faster response in the event of armed attacks. In the meantime, this decision, which was temporary in nature, has been repealed again. Namely, the local police considered that there was no longer a basis for continuing to carry weapons during police patrols, but the police returned to carrying firearms that would be locked in their patrol cars.

However, some decisions still apply. Norway has introduced a national TETRA communication system, "Nødnett", which enables encrypted, fast and secure communication between the police, military, emergency and health services. The system is operational throughout the country and is regularly tested through joint exercises.

In the capital Oslo, the police and military are now conducting joint crisis simulations, and coordination procedures are clearer than in 2011.

However, our interlocutor warns that a weak point still remains – cooperation between services.

"We saw in 2022, during the shooting at the Pride event, when two people were killed and several others were injured, that domestic and foreign intelligence services did not communicate well enough," says Roneberg.

The commission concluded that the attack could have been prevented with better communication between agencies, and new promises of reforms followed. As a journalist with many years of experience, Roneberg is therefore quite cautious.

"I'm not sure if the situation is better now in that regard," he adds shortly.

MONTENEGRO FACING THE SAME CHALLENGE

While Norway is rebuilding its system from the ground up, Montenegro has faced a repeat of the tragedy. After the massacre in the Cetinje neighborhood of Medovina in August 2022, where 10 people were killed, this January the town became the scene of a new tragedy – 13 dead, including two children, and once again a community in shock.

Less than three years have passed between these two tragedies, but they are connected by the same question: why didn't the system work? Citizens of Cetinje, as well as part of the professional public, claim that "instead of the security services learning lessons, they did nothing."

After the latest massacre, the government introduced a two-month amnesty for surrendering weapons, announced stricter controls and changes to the law on gun ownership. Meanwhile, citizens took to the streets, demanding resignations and systemic changes.

TWO MODELS – TWO RESULTS

In Norway, the 2011 Commission was appointed by the government, but it worked completely independently of political structures. Its findings were sharp and specific, and the Norwegian public accepted them as an objective and professional assessment.

Thus, Norway, under public pressure, but also thanks to institutional will, implemented reforms that enabled it to react faster and coordinate better in crises.

Montenegro, despite two mass shootings, is still without a clear plan to prevent new tragedies.

The difference is also seen in public trust – Norwegians largely trust the police and emergency services, while in Montenegro citizens are increasingly vocal in demanding accountability and change.

Norwegian experiences show that it is possible to turn pain into strength for the system, but only if there is political determination to see reforms through. Montenegro, faced with its own traumas, has yet to decide whether to take that path.

Norwegian experiences show that clear lessons can be learned from tragedy, but also that without constant checking of systems and preparedness — the danger of repeating the same mistakes always remains.

The text is part of a project funded by the Constructive Institute, and is implemented within the SoJo Europe program, a European initiative co-funded by the European Union, dedicated to strengthening independent and quality journalism across Europe.

The text is taken from the website citajizmedjuredova.me