Šaranović: The state must check those it has given the right to check others

The state must have the power to check those to whom it has given the right to check others, said Interior Minister Danilo Šaranović, stating that every procedure must be legal, based on facts and subject to control.

Šaranović said this at a ceremony marking Internal Affairs Day in Podgorica last night, commemorating 195 years since the establishment of the first police organization in Montenegro - the Guard.

As announced by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP), the ceremony was attended by representatives of that department, state leaders, the Police Directorate, the security sector, international partners and other guests.

Šaranović said that in the past three years, the Ministry's special focus has been on strengthening the integrity of officials and institutions, accountability, the decisive fight against crime, and strengthening the trust of citizens.

According to him, reform had to start from within, through vetting, security checks, control of integrity, assets, income and lifestyle, as well as through initiating procedures that were previously lacking.

"The state must have the power to check those to whom it has given the right to check others," emphasized Šaranović.

He stressed that any procedure must be legal, based on facts and subject to control.

Šaranović pointed out that checking compromised individuals protects honorable police officers and restores citizens' trust in the institution.

"Whoever works for the state has the state behind them. Whoever works for crime has the state against them," said Šaranović, emphasizing that the police must belong exclusively to the citizens, the Constitution, and the state.

Speaking about strengthening the capacities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he said that space has been opened for new generations of police officers, with the state's obligation to provide them with quality training, proper deployment, and responsible management.

"He emphasized that citizens assess the strength of the Ministry through everyday experience - the response to calls for help, the actions of police patrols, the protection of victims of violence, and the attitude of officers towards citizens," the Ministry of Interior said in a statement.

It is stated that Šaranović specifically pointed out the need to protect children, as well as the importance of traffic safety.

He thanked members of the protection and rescue system, police, firefighters, rescuers, pilots, the military, voluntary organizations and citizens who showed solidarity, coordination and willingness to help during the fire season.

Šaranović assessed that the implemented reforms are part of Montenegro's European path and an obligation for institutions to be capable of protecting security, freedom and the rule of law.

"Montenegro will be ready for membership in the European Union when the standards we adopt become reliable everyday practice, when citizens can count on them without a call, connection or intermediary," said Šaranović.

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić congratulated the Ministry of Interior officers on the results they are achieving and said that the Government will continue to invest in their knowledge, equipment and technology.

"But also in higher salaries, and generally better living conditions. Because only in this way can we successfully confront, or avoid, the destructive effects of modern security challenges and hybrid actions," said Spajić.

Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić said that the Day of Internal Affairs is an opportunity to show respect to the honorable people who wear the badge of the Montenegrin police, civil servants of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and citizens of Montenegro, but "also a day to be completely honest with each other."

"If we were to remain silent about what we found today, we would be insulting every honest police officer and civil servant who has watched for years as his colleagues disgraced their uniform. And let no one accuse us of attacking the police. The attack was carried out in accordance with the law, against those who betrayed the police," Bečić stressed.

As he stated, the first task was to clean up our own ranks.

"Around 200 officials in the security and defense sector have been suspended, almost 400 disciplinary proceedings have been initiated for serious violations of official duty, and dozens of officials have been deprived of their liberty or their employment has been terminated," Bečić pointed out.

Director of the Police Administration Lazar Šćepanović presented the results of the police and activities aimed at combating all forms of crime and improving the safety of citizens.

"We have successfully responded to the most complex security challenges and made a key contribution to preserving stability. At the same time, we have strengthened the institution, improved cooperation, and created conditions for the police to be more efficient, better equipped, more prepared, and closer to citizens," said Šćepanović.