Security guards working for agencies that provide security services, while possessing general knowledge in their field, lack specialized skills for interacting with children and minors in Montenegrin schools.

This observation is supported by the response from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP), which, when queried by “Vijesti” about whether licensed security guards possess specialized knowledge and skills for working with children, provided a general statement indicating that those who received a license had completed legal training at the Police Academy in Danilovgrad.

They did not specifically address whether security guards have the necessary expertise for dealing with minors, a unique and sensitive demographic.

“Individuals performing security tasks (guards), or those who have been granted a permit for such tasks, are professionally trained to execute security duties through a program primarily conducted at the Public Institution ‘Police Academy’ – Danilovgrad. This training lasts for 25 working days and comprises a total of 172 hours, including 119 hours of practical work and 53 hours of theory. Instruction covers eight subjects, and upon completion, participants receive an internal certificate confirming successful training as ‘Protector of Persons and Property’, or a certificate of professional training for conducting security tasks,” states the Ministry of Interior’s response.

Consequently, in practice, licensed security guards receive general training without specialized skills for working with children, as such courses are not offered at the Police Academy or the private establishment “Urban Protection Training Center.” Notably, their initiative “Protectors in Schools,” which commenced in 2016, did not progress due to legal restrictions.

According to Article 28 of the Law on Protection of Persons and Property, security tasks are carried out by a variety of personnel, including guards, security guards for people and property, security technicians, bodyguards, and valuables escorts, all of whom hold a valid permit to perform security tasks.

As reported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MESI), security guards began being assigned to some schools yesterday.

Of the 800,000 euros allocated by the Government for the physical security of school property and individuals, funds are available for approximately 190 security guards, who will be placed in 42 secondary and 65 primary schools.

Many school parent councils and administrations are still deliberating offers from security agencies in the pursuit of hiring guards with legitimate licenses for security work.

For several days, the Ministry of National Education and Science has not responded to “Vijesti”‘s inquiries about how the selection process for security companies will occur, as well as whether these companies will provide physical security or technical support in Montenegrin schools.

The Ministry of National Defense did not clarify whether the security guards appointed possess previous experience, certifications, or licenses for working with children.

Those knowledgeable about this topic assert that in certain cities where security agencies are absent, it would be unfeasible to recruit security guards for schools as the Ministry of Education and Science intended.

The Ministry of Interior further explained to “Vijesti” that security activities can only be performed by a corporation, other legal entity, or entrepreneur registered with the Central Register of Business Entities, that holds a permit abiding by the Law on Protection of Persons and Property.

Security operations are executed by individuals who possess a permit to engage in security functions, which is issued in alignment with the Law on Protection of Persons and Property, whether they act as entrepreneurs or employees of a legally recognized company equipped with the necessary permit.

“Any company, other legal entity, or entrepreneur who has obtained a permit for protection activities as specified by the Law on the Protection of Persons and Property can respond to the Public Call of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation,” states the Ministry of Interior.

Security guards are authorized to verify identities, issue warnings, give commands, detain and search individuals, objects, vehicles, and vessels, and temporarily confiscate items or detain individuals caught committing infractions. Moreover, they are legally empowered to secure the incident scene and utilize coercive measures…

The Ministry of the Interior can issue a work license solely to those who not only have a professional competence certification for conducting security tasks but also have successfully passed the requisite professional examination.

The Ministry of Interior noted irregularities within agencies

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is tasked with overseeing the enforcement of the Law on the Protection of Persons and Property and its associated regulations, identifying discrepancies within security agencies through inspections.

The Ministry of Interior did not provide a specific number of irregularities detected during their oversight over the past three years but acknowledged the existence of certain shortcomings.

“In the last three years, most irregularities were identified under Article 75, paragraph 1, item 12 of the Law on the Protection of Persons and Property (a legal entity operates its own internal security service without a police mandate) and Article 75, paragraph 1, item 4 (a legal entity employs individuals who lack a permit for security services),” states the Ministry of Interior’s response.

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