In the initial quarter of this year, 113 police officers faced attacks, leading to 13 criminal and 54 misdemeanor charges. In comparison, last year saw 477 police officers attacked.

The Police Directorate shared with Vijesti that, despite these assaults, their commitment to fostering a trusting relationship with the community remains steadfast.

“While carrying out their daily duties in a dynamic and often complex environment, police officers frequently encounter a variety of challenges, including both physical and verbal attacks. When exercising their legal powers, officers sometimes deal with citizens who resist, obstruct their duties, or react verbally or physically. Such situations often arise while maintaining public order and managing traffic,” the Police Directorate explained when asked about the contexts in which their officers are most commonly targeted.

From January 1 to March 31, 2025, 67 incidents of attacks on police officers were reported, impacting 113 officers and resulting in 13 criminal and 54 misdemeanor charges.

Last week, Kolašin police apprehended military police officer Zoran Bakić (38) from Podgorica, who was intoxicated and attempting to flee in his vehicle. When stopped, he threatened the officers, implying that they would lose their jobs and calling for a physical confrontation.

This incident occurred on April 16 along the Mojkovac – Kolašin route, with the Police Directorate noting that Bakić initially disregarded a “Stop” sign and subsequently also ignored traffic signals.

“During the stop, the driver identified himself as a Military Police member in an effort to evade further police action. When he realized that he would be arrested for violating traffic laws, confirmed by a breathalyzer reading of 1.74 g/kg of alcohol, he began to protest and threatened the officers with job loss, inviting them to engage physically. The police subsequently detained him at the Kolašin Security Department without resistance, and no coercive measures were necessary,” said the police.

Indications of targeted attacks in police stations are evident from a recent incident in Šavnik, where Danilo Janković (43) entered police premises on March 19, insulted an officer, and subsequently assaulted him.

“He struck the officer several times in the head and neck before fleeing in an unknown direction.”

He is now suspected of assaulting an official in the performance of their official duties.

“Between January 1 and March 31, 2025, 67 cases of attacks on police officers were recorded, affecting 113 officers and leading to 13 criminal and 54 misdemeanor reports,” clarified the UP.

Family Assaults Police

On the same day as the Šavnica police station incident, a family in Rožaje attacked police officers attempting to address cigarette smuggling activities.

The Police Department noted that two individuals, Enes Kajević (48) and Rizo Murić (41), were arrested for smuggling and assaulting police officers; law enforcement is still searching for Rahim Kajević (34), who also attacked the officers involved in the operation.

During the operation, the officers from the Border Police Sector and the Regional Security Center “North” encountered violence from members of Enes Kajević’s family, and Murić threatened them with an axe.

The prosecutor indicated that Lejla Kajević (18), Enes’s daughter, who caused damage to a police vehicle and blocked a road to impede emergency services from extinguishing a fire set to a vehicle used for smuggling, was not arrested but would face potential charges.

The police also filed criminal charges against her younger sister, EK, aged 16, and their one-year-old brother for assaulting officials in the execution of their duties.

268 Attacks Last Year

In response to inquiries about incidents from the previous year, it was revealed that 268 cases of attacks were recorded involving 477 police officers.

“According to records from the Police Directorate, 268 cases of attacks on officers were noted in 2024, affecting 477 officers. This resulted in 63 criminal and 212 misdemeanor charges,” stated the UP.

Despite these statistics, the Police Directorate asserted their dedication to nurturing a trusting relationship with the community:

“Through transparent conduct, professionalism, and collaboration, we aim to foster mutual respect and understanding between the Police and the public, creating a safe environment for all citizens and ensuring the unhindered ability of police officers to perform their duties lawfully, even in high-pressure situations.”

They urged judicial authorities to impose appropriate and legal penalties for assaults against Police Directorate officers:

“This is essential to curtail criminal offenses and misdemeanors affecting police officers during the execution of their official duties through legal repercussions and sanctions.”

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