BUDIMIR: PATRIOTISM AND PROFESSIONALISM KEY TO SERVICE IN THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR

BANJA LUKA, NOVEMBER 13 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska Minister of the Interior Željko Budimir told SRNA that patriotism was a necessity in Republika Srpska, stressing that patriotism and professionalism were key values for members of the Republika Srpska police force.

Budimir emphasized that the combination of professionalism and patriotism was essential for preserving order and ensuring the survival of the Serb people in a complex community such as BiH. "Among the younger generations, from secondary school and university students to young police officers, I see a very strong sense of patriotism, perhaps even stronger than in my generation. They have a better understanding of what Republika Srpska means. For them, Republika Srpska is truly a legacy entrusted to them by heroes," Budimir said in a podcast by the Media System of Republika Srpska – SRNA. In the podcast, Budimir also said that people were the Ministry of the Interior's /MoI/ greatest resource, noting that a generational transition was currently underway, as police officers who had helped build the force since 1992 were retiring and being replaced by younger officers. He said the process was proceeding successfully. He described the MoI Training Center in Zalužani as one of the strategic resources of the Republika Srpska Ministry of Interior, noting that its capacities were being continuously upgraded and adapted to new security challenges. Budimir announced plans to build a climbing tower and a tactical training town, as well as a simulation laboratory for training in the detection of synthetic drug production, with the aim of tackling the major challenges in this area of crime. He also revealed that one of the items currently being procured by the Republika Srpska Ministry of Interior is body-worn cameras, which are attached to the visible part of a police officer`s uniform and record the area in front of them. Budimir explained that the cameras would, among other things, record the activities of MoI officers, such as traffic police officers and special police units, so that there would no longer be any speculation about what happened during particular raids or similar operations. He said that next year, the Republika Srpska Ministry of Interior was expected to receive additional material and technical equipment, including expanded use of drones. "This means that every police administration and police station will have a drone pilot who will be deployed in specific situations, such as during a migrant crisis or in search operations," Budimir added. A new episode of the SRNA podcast, featuring Republika Srpska Minister of the Interior Željko Budimir, will be available to users of our news service tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., as well as on social media platforms and the SRNA YouTube channel.