Željko Budimir stated that the police of Republika Srpska are fully prepared to respond to all security challenges and protect citizens and their property.
- “The police are not here to intimidate anyone, but to protect citizens and their property. That is clear in Republika Srpska,” Budimir said.
He emphasized that the police force is professional and multi-ethnic, including Bosniaks and Croats even in leadership positions, and that it serves all citizens equally.
According to him, from a strategic and security perspective, the police represent a key protective factor for the Serb people within Bosnia and Herzegovina, noting that the Ministry currently has 7,233 personnel.
Budimir highlighted that crime decreased by seven percent last year, alongside a high rate of solved criminal cases. He also pointed to successful operations against organized crime, including 39 international actions conducted in cooperation with Interpol, Europol, and police forces from various countries.
- “We have true professionals, and many foreign agencies cooperate with us,” he said.
He stressed that organized crime cannot become stronger than the police, adding that there is zero tolerance for any links between police officers and criminal networks, regardless of rank or position.
Budimir also announced further modernization of the police, including the procurement of 400 new vehicles, improvements to information systems, and the introduction of a reserve police component.
He noted that around 560 new officers were recruited last year and concluded that the Ministry of Interior, alongside the Serb Orthodox Church, is among the institutions most trusted by citizens.
Source: RTRS
