The Republic of Srpska

 On occasion of celebrating the 9th of January, the Republic of Srpska Day, the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior organized a formal reception for the police officers who demonstrated a high level of professionalism and dedication in saving human lives.         The Republic of Srpska Minister of the Interior, Mr Siniša Karan, and the Republic of Srpska Police Director, Mr Siniša Kostrešević, awarded letters of appreciation to the 36 police officers from the whole Republic of Srpska, who showed particular humanity in performing their duties and assignments.          Minister Karan stated that the reception was an opportunity to thank the bravest, the most dedicated and humane members of the police who saved other peoples’ lives in different ways, even off-duty and risking their own lives.      ”The Ministry is as strong and valuable as its members are. With that in mind, this year we re-introduced the High School of Internal Affairs and it is our intention to build their integrity, their ethical and moral values, so that they are aligned with the greatest and the most noble values of the Ministry – to be good people and police officers, patriots who will preserve the constitutional order and the safety of the Republic of Srpska and its citizens”, said Minister Karan in his address.         He reminded the public of the 782 fallen members of the Ministry who lost their lives in the battle for the establishment of the Republic of Srpska during the Homeland Defence War, together with the Army and the people of Srpska.         ”After the war, 31 police officers lost their lives on duty, several hundred of them were injured, and we witness attacks on police officers almost every day. The job of a police officer is hard, but honorable”, the Minister stated.        The Minister said that the Ministry had successfully completed its mission to preserve the constitutional order of Srpska, as its highest value, and to maintain the safety of the Republic of Srpska citizens.            He invited the citizens of the Republic of Srpska to celebrate the Republic of Srpska Day on the 9th of January, pointing out that the members of the Ministry were preparing for the ceremonial parade that would be held on the evening of the 9th of January.        Zoran Šmitran, a policeman from the Gradiška Police Administration, who retired this fall, after 30 years of work in the police uniform, addressed the audience on behalf of the awarded police officers. This year, Šmitran and his colleagues rescued a young person from the swollen Sava River. "I would like to