Police Commanders Who Publicly Endorse Electoral Lists Should Not Command Police Operations Related to Elections

The Integrity Network of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) calls on caretaker Interior Minister Ivica Dačić and Police Director Dragan Vasiljević to immediately relieve senior police officers who have publicly supported a political party or electoral list of all command responsibilities for policing public gatherings and election-related operations. The authorities should maintain this measure until they investigate the circumstances of their political involvement and resolve any legitimate doubts about their impartiality.

This measure is particularly important at a time of deep societal crisis and political polarisation, as tensions rise in the run-up to election day. In such circumstances, the police must not only act impartially but also demonstrate political neutrality. Citizens must trust that police decisions are not influenced by politics and that their rights will be equally protected, regardless of their political views. When senior police commanders publicly endorse a particular electoral list, as has happened recently, and subsequently exercise command over police operations at gatherings of its political opponents, legitimate questions arise regarding their impartiality. Such a situation further undermines already fragile public trust and increases the risk of selective enforcement of the law, politically motivated decisions and disproportionate use of force. At a time of heightened tensions, even the suspicion that the police are acting in the interests of a particular political party can further erode public trust and exacerbate those tensions.

The Constitution of the Republic of Serbia and the Law on Police establish legal restrictions on the political activities of police officers. Article 169 of the Law on Police regulates restrictions on political activity within the Ministry of the Interior, while Article 207 classifies certain forms of such conduct as serious violations of official duties. Article 67 says that police officers must be fair and protect the rights of all citizens equally. The Ministry of the Interior must therefore examine the political involvement of these senior officers without delay and determine whether their conduct gives rise to disciplinary liability.

The police, on the other hand, cannot wait for the end of disciplinary proceedings before taking steps to address valid concerns about their impartiality. Temporarily relieving these officers of command responsibilities at public assemblies does not constitute a disciplinary sanction or imply any presumption of responsibility. Rather, it is a preventive organisational measure designed to safeguard the rights of citizens, preserve the institutional integrity of the police and maintain public confidence. Before the elections, the Minister of the Interior and the Director of Police must show that the police serve all citizens and follow the law, not any political party. Police neutrality must be clearly demonstrated, particularly when political divisions are at their deepest and the risk of incidents is at its highest.

The police must remain outside political struggles. Their duty is to protect the rights of all citizens, and their political neutrality must be beyond doubt, particularly during elections. By taking this step, you, as the officials bearing ultimate responsibility for the Ministry of the Interior and the police, would demonstrate your commitment to upholding the law and serving all citizens equally.

Yours sincerely,

Integrity Network of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy