Novi Sad: In the city of Andrej's satraps, it is not easy to be a policeman either

The replacement of the head of the Novi Sad Police Department, Goran Radonjić caused a series of questions in the professional and general public, because it represents another in a series of sudden and non-transparent personnel shake-ups within Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP).

This change, unlike earlier "rotations", is not a simple reorganization or promotion, but a classic shift - with demotion and transfer to a lower, poorly defined position within the Police Administration of the Deputy Chief of the Command Operations Center (KOC) - translated as "you have a position, you receive a salary, and your only task is not to interfere in your work".

Just as at one time, during the ministry of Nebojša Stefanović, the "cutting" of unsuitable personnel began - they were appointed as "coordinators" at the MUP headquarters or in certain administrations, without any of them, not even their bosses, knowing what they were doing or what they were in charge of.

They end up there until they reach retirement (some unfortunately didn't, their heart betrayed them due to such professional humiliation).

What is actually happening inside the top of the MUP?

As a high-ranking MUP officer testified for "Vreme", an additional sign of alarm is that the former head of the Police Director's Bureau, a certain Popović, also a colonel like Radonjić, was assigned to the same KOC.

"When two high-ranking police personnel, with strong resumes, are 'descended' to a position that formally does not even matter, the question is justifiably raised as to what is actually happening within the top of the MUP," he pointed out.

In recent years, Novi Sad has had extremely frequent changes of police chief, mostly brought from Belgrade, which creates the impression of institutional instability and calls into question the continuity of work, responsibility, as well as the independence of the police from political influence.

Of the last four chiefs, three have been convicted or are under investigation for various crimes. What will happen to the fifth, the question is whether he will be able to deal with the criminal octopus SNS in Novi Sad, a place that is under the absolute control of the brother of the President of the Republic, Andrej Vučič, and his "satraps".

In a system that is supposed to be professional, stable and governed by the law, frequent and unexplained changes of managers can be a sign of conflicts within the system, cover-up of internal problems, or even political purges carried out far from the public eye.

The very fact that Radonjić was dismissed without an official explanation, and then transferred to a "lower-class" position that is irrelevant in the systematization of the MUP, leaves the impression of improvisation and internal calculations.

"This kind of practice undermines the public's trust in the work of the police, but also demotivates professionals within the system, because it sends the message that status, commitment and results do not mean much if they conflict with some higher, informal agenda," explains the "Vremena" source.

The police as a tool of political influence

The question that arises is whether the police is used as a tool of political influence or intra-party confrontations? If senior police personnel are assigned according to unclear criteria and without clear responsibilities, this may be an indication of a serious collapse of the principles of professionalism and hierarchy.

At a time when citizens are facing growing security problems, especially in larger urban areas like Novi Sad, the stability and credibility of the Police Department must be a priority. Irresponsible transfers, demotions and illogical transfers not only confuse the public, but directly threaten the security system and undermine the authority of institutions that are supposed to protect law and order.

That is why it is of crucial importance that the MUP publicly explain the reasons for such personnel changes, and not reduce it to the incoherent explanations of Minister Ivica Dačić, that it is actually a promotion, but that transparency should be restored in the process of appointment and replacement and enable the police system to be resistant to political and personal interests. Unfortunately, this is unachievable in the current system of government - because the principle is "obedience, then everything else".

Will Marić become a party henchman?

The new head of the National Security Service, Colonel Nevenko Marić, will have a difficult job ahead of him, which, in fact, will be simple - either he will have the will and break the SNS criminal clan that rules Novi Sad, or he will give in and become a party follower, who will be formally "rewarded" with a better job and a higher salary after a while.

Previously, the MUP had the practice of sending experienced personnel from Belgrade as heads of "problematic" police administrations, such as the recently deceased retired colonel Srđan Grekulović, who was sent to "put out the fire" where crime reigned and local police officers were in cahoots - Zaječar, Jagodina, Niš. But it was about an experienced policeman, who had passed the field, which could not be said for Marić, he spent his working life in Belgrade.

His former superiors say that he is a serious criminal policeman, capable, who has passed several FBI courses, but his disadvantage, like the others when they come from UKP to the head of the police department, is that they do not know the other lines of work, such as the general jurisdiction police, the so-called partolji, who are the heart of the system, the people on the street.

Don't even talk about loyalty when it comes to political influence - I appointed you, and I will replace you if you don't listen or if you touch where you shouldn't. And in Novi Sad there are many people and groups that are prohibited from "picking".