OSCE conference in Montenegro focuses on strengthening police oversight to combat corruption

Police internal oversight is not only about identifying wrongdoing after it occurs. It is also about preventing corruption, identifying institutional vulnerabilities, strengthening professional standards and ensuring accountability, said Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro Jan Haukaas at the opening of a two-day regional conference on Police Internal Oversight as a Tool against Corruption Enabling Organized Crime, which started today in Bar, Montenegro.

The conference, hosted by the OSCE Mission in Montenegro in co-operation with the Ministry of Interior and with the support of the U.S. Embassy, brings together regional and international experts to exchange experience on combating corruption within the police. Around 50 representatives of police and prosecutorial institutions from Western Balkan countries are participating in the conference, alongside experts from the United States, Austria, Italy and Romania, as well as OSCE representatives.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Haukaas said that effective institutions must be able to identify and manage risks, strengthen safeguards and ensure that oversight mechanisms are effective, credible and professional. “This requires a holistic approach consisting of three pillars: prevention – identifying vulnerabilities before corruption takes root; detection – effective oversight and appropriate investigative tools; and prosecution – close cooperation between oversight bodies, investigators and prosecutors, with full respect for the law and due process,” said Haukaas, adding that the conference represents an important part of the two-decade partnership between Montenegro and the OSCE Mission.

Velimir Furtula, Assistant Director of Police for the Department for Combating Crime in the Police Directorate, said that recent preventive, intelligence and operational-investigative activities had contributed to dismantling high-risk organized criminal groups and prosecuting their leaders and members. “Nevertheless, despite the notable results, we still have the obligation and imperative to confront contemporary security challenges with undiminished intensity, particularly in the fight against serious and organized crime and corruption,” said Furtula. He stressed the need for legislative changes, new working methods, stronger international cooperation and additional specialized training, particularly in combating high-level corruption.

Milan Dakić, Chief of Staff at the Special State Prosecutor’s Office, said criminal organizations seek to expand their influence within institutions responsible for combating them. He added that the experience of the Special State Prosecutor’s Office, which has prosecuted a significant number of police officers over the past four and a half years for criminal offenses within its jurisdiction, has demonstrated the importance of acting professionally and impartially, regardless of the function or position of the suspect. “At the same time, it is important to point out that many police officers perform their duties responsibly and with dedication. Their work deserves support, while effective internal control mechanisms contribute to preserving their professional reputation and citizens’ trust in the police,” Dakić said.

Over the two days, participants will focus on preventive approaches, investigative tools and prosecution strategies, with an emphasis on exchanging good practices from the Western Balkans and Europe. The conference is expected to conclude with a set of recommendations on strengthening internal oversight and accountability, reducing corruption risks and enhancing public trust in police services.