The Republic of Srpska

Today, on the occasion of celebrating the saint patron’s day of the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior - St. Michael the Archangel, the Republic of Srpska Minister of the Interior, Mr Željko Budimir, awarded the Officer’s Saber to each police director of the Republic of Srpska from its establishment to this day, for their honorable service and exceptional contribution to the work of the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior. 

The Officer’s Saber was awarded to Mr Dragan Gaćeša, Mr Radomir Njeguš, Mr Dragomir Andan, posthumously to Mr Uroš Pena, Mr Gojko Vasić, Mr Darko Ćulum, and Mr Siniša Kostrešević.

Minister Budimir said that the Saber was the symbol of honour and their honourable service while they were on the position of the Police Director, as well as the highest recognition for the hard work performed by the police officers and the most responsible managers. 

He said that the Police Director was responsible for all the operational work; they implemented all the policies and strategies adopted by the Government and the Ministry of the Interior; they gave a great part of themselves to the Republic of Srpska – they gave the best days of their lives to the service and performed the most responsible duty.

The Republic of Srpska Police Director, Mr Siniša Kostrešević, said that, although he was the one who received the Saber, it was actually a reward for the whole team and that it was an expression of gratitude for the whole Police of the Republic of Srpska. 

A former Police Director, Mr Dragomir Andan, said that he was decorated on several occasions in the past, but that this Saber represented something special that was significant not only to him, but would also mean a lot to his children and grandchildren. 

Mr Dragan Gaćeša was the Republic of Srpska Police Director from 1 January 2001 to 21 October 2002; Mr Radomir Njeguš performed the duty of the Republic of Srpska Police Director from 23 October 2002 to 31 January 2005; Mr Dragomir Andan performed the duty of the of the Republic of Srpska Police Director from 17 March 2005 to 9 May 2006; Mr Uroš Pena performed the duty of the of the Republic of Srpska Police Director from 23 June 2005 to 31 May 2009; Mr Gojko Vasić performed the duty of the of the Republic of Srpska Police Director from 12 August 2010 to 16 September 2016; Mr Darko Ćulum Pena performed the duty of the of the Republic of Srpska Police Director from 1 September 2016 to 22 July 2020.

Mr Siniša Kostrešević has performed the duty of the Republic of Srpska Police Director since 31 July 2020.