DODIK: POLICE OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA ENDURED IMPOSSIBLE, TODAY THEY HAVE STATUS THEY DESERVE

PALE, JUNE 19 /SRNA/ - President Milorad Dodik stated today in Pale that the police in Republika Srpska have been given the status and significance they should have, adding that it is not a coincidence that the people of Republika Srpska give their strongest support to the Serbian Orthodox Church and the police.

"I am proud to be part of the team that made key decisions for the current position of Ministry of the Interior members, as well as for the construction of the new building of the Istočno Sarajevo Police Administration," Dodik said, adding that it was insisted that the Police Administration building be located in Pale.

Dodik congratulated all members of the Istočno Sarajevo Police Administration and the police of Republika Srpska on the opening of the new Police Administration building in Pale, stressing that the police are an organisation responsible for ensuring security and maintaining public order and peace.

Expressing gratitude to everyone who contributed to the construction of the Istočno Sarajevo Police Administration building, Dodik reminded that the police of Republika Srpska have been the main target since the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement.

According to him, during that period, there were constant attempts to criminalise and corrupt the police of Republika Srpska.

"In police circles, unfortunately, there were even organised gangs, which we had to deal with in this difficult period of building Republika Srpska itself. Then came certain reforms in which they tried to strip us of the institutional significance and importance of our police," Dodik said.

He emphasized that Republika Srpska has endured impossible years and decades of persecution and elimination.

"Many of our people are today in prisons, although they did not deserve it in any way, because no individual responsibility for crimes has been proven against anyone. That is why they invented the story of command responsibility and an attempt to create any kind of connection to prosecute people," Dodik said.

Describing it as shameful on the part of the international community, Dodik said that there are, therefore, very few international structures with which Republika Srpska should cooperate.

Dodik also particularly referred to the young members of the Republika Srpska police, recalling that six years ago the leadership of Republika Srpska was pressured to accept an arrangement under which the Republika Srpska police would be allowed only one long-barrel weapon per ten police officers.

"We said ‘no’," Dodik stated, adding that Republika Srpska also reinstated the previously abolished education system for its police.

Today, he added, Republika Srpska has a modern educational centre and is able to rejuvenate its police force, which is of particular importance.

He expressed regret that the Mayor of Pale, Dejan Kojić, did not attend the opening of the Police Administration building, stating that if he believes this will help him gain more votes, then so be it.

"Today we should all be here. I am always ready to be present in any municipality, even where members of other political options are in power, if something has been done well for Republika Srpska," Dodik said.

Dodik called on the head of the Istočno Sarajevo Police Administration to do everything possible to make the area safer and more stable.

"Concentrate more forces. Organised gangs or bandits cannot live here. Zero tolerance for anyone operating on that side. They cannot stay here even during the day, let alone exist for a longer period. Remove them all," Dodik said.

He added that he knows this is difficult due to the proximity of a city from which much of this originates, but noted that not everything depends on that factor.

"It is also up to us. Make sure that these people here are safe every night and day. That every walk on the pavement and street is secure," Dodik said.

Dodik stated that Republika Srpska wants a police force it can be proud of, one that provides security against all possible threats, adding that investments in the police will continue.

"This year, more than 400 new vehicles will arrive, and we will provide new equipment, new uniforms, new communication systems, and much more," Dodik said.

Dodik also expressed special gratitude to Interior Minister Željko Budimir, as well as to the Government and all people contributing to ensuring peaceful and stable living conditions in the region.

Dodik assessed that this is a time when firm and decisive defense is necessary, and that there should be no hesitation in that regard.

"Minister, I expect you to return additional competencies to the police law and strengthen the stability and status of police officers. A police officer must be respected because he represents Republika Srpska and its entire people," Dodik said.

Dodik emphasized that he wants Republika Srpska to become even stronger, to be able to govern itself, and to be part of the Serbian national interest.

"I believe it is correct, and I always promote this regardless of what anyone thinks, that one people should have one state, and that it should be organised in the way that people themselves believe it should be," Dodik said.

He also announced plans to build a memorial church in this area dedicated to the former leadership that established Republika Srpska.