Several officers suspected of serious misconduct and ethical violations, criminal complaint filed against one

The Internal Control Department of the police identified suspicions of unlawful and unprofessional conduct in several cases during March, including abuse of office and serious breaches of duty. All disputed cases have been forwarded to the competent authorities for further proceedings.

Prosecution also involved

During March, the Department for Internal Control of the Police conducted 14 reviews of the legality of police officers’ actions, based on operational and other information regarding possible irregularities and unlawful conduct.

According to the Report on actions taken following controls and complaints, in one case there is suspicion that a police officer from the Kolašin Security Department committed a serious breach of official duty - failure to perform duties or performing them negligently, untimely, or carelessly.

It was also established that a police officer from the Regional Border Police Center „South“, Border Police Station II Bar, abused his official position. In accordance with instructions from the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Bar, a criminal complaint was filed against him. The Director of the Police Directorate, Lazar Šćepanović, the head of the Border Police Sector, and the immediate supervisor were informed in order to take measures within their jurisdiction.

In a third case, it was determined that a police officer from Border Police Station Nikšić I committed a serious breach of duty (failure to perform duties or negligent, untimely, or careless performance), as well as a violation of the Police Code of Ethics.

Additionally, a police officer from the same station committed a serious breach of duty by leaving the workplace without authorization.

During the controls, it was also established that there is suspicion that a police officer from the Criminal Police Station of the Podgorica Security Department committed a serious breach of duty - taking or failing to take actions that hinder or obstruct the performance of police duties.

In all cases, reports along with case files compiled during internal control procedures were submitted to the Director of the Police Directorate for further action and, where necessary, to the Ethics Committee for assessment of the officers’ conduct.

In the remaining 10 cases, internal control procedures did not establish facts or evidence indicating unlawful and/or unprofessional conduct by police officers.

Complaints by 10 citizens

During March, officers of the Internal Control Department also reviewed the legality of police conduct based on 10 citizen complaints relating to the manner in which police duties were performed and the use of police powers.

In three cases, elements of disciplinary responsibility and violations of the Police Code of Ethics were identified.

It was determined that a police officer from the Criminal Police Station of the Podgorica Security Department committed a serious breach of duty - failure to perform duties or negligent, untimely, or careless performance.

The report on the conducted internal control, along with case files, was submitted to the Director of the Police Directorate to initiate measures within his jurisdiction and disciplinary proceedings. It was also forwarded to the competent State Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica for a final assessment and decision on the possible existence of criminal liability.

In another case, it was noted that there is suspicion that a police officer from the Ulcinj Security Department committed a serious breach of duty - failure to draft, or untimely, incomplete, or improper drafting of an official document regarding actions taken or the use of police powers. The report was submitted to the head of the Police Directorate and to the Ethics Committee for evaluation of the conduct of two officers.

A police officer from the Criminal Police Station of the Danilovgrad Security Department is suspected of acting contrary to the Police Code of Ethics, which is why the internal control report was forwarded to the Ethics Committee for evaluation.

- In the remaining seven internal control procedures, it was not possible to establish facts or evidence indicating the existence of elements of disciplinary or other liability of police officers in the actions taken in the respective cases - the document concludes.