MULTIPLE REASONS FOR INTRODUCING AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE

BANJA LUKA, JUNE 30 /SRNA/ – The formation of auxiliary police force in Republika Srpska is necessary for several reasons, one of which is the increasing number of officers retiring, resulting in the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MOI) currently lacking over 1,000 police officers, former minister Dragan Lukač told SRNA.

"MOI is currently training several hundred young police officers through the Police Academy and the Secondary School of Internal Affairs, but since quality training requires time, it cannot be expected that this shortage of officers will be overcome in the next few years, as every year people retire once they meet legal requirements," Lukač said. He stated that police officers already work a large number of overtime hours and that it is impossible to cover the entire territory with the current number of officers, which leads to difficulties in performing duties and the potential endangerment of security. "By introducing reserve force, current shortages could be resolved more quickly, and young officers could be recruited from this force for further training at the Police Academy. Knowing they have to undergo checks and certain training to enter the auxiliary force and that they would gain experience through their work, it means we would have quality personnel for the future active police force," Lukač assessed. He recalled that the reserve police force was supposed to be introduced back in 2019, but the plan was abandoned due to obstructions. "At that time, the Gendarmerie was formed, which proved to be a complete success because MOI gained a new organized force deployed across the entire territory of Republika Srpska, which is significant for quick reactions in any situation where the security of our citizens is threatened," Lukač emphasized. He stressed that a higher number of police officers in BiH should not be a problem for anyone, given experiences from the past, such as the migrant crisis, natural disasters, or security threats to citizens posed by individuals, groups, or organized crime. "This way of strengthening police structures in Republika Srpska, or throughout BiH, can only contribute to better organization of police work and greater safety for all citizens," Lukač highlighted. On June 23, the Government of Republika Srpska adopted a Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Police and Internal Affairs under urgent procedure, which foresees the introduction of reserve police force. The National Assembly of Republika Srpska is expected to consider this law at its regular session this week.