The Republic of Srpska

Today, on the occasion of marking April 4 - the Republic of Srpska Police Day, the Republic of Srpska Minister of the Interior, Mr Željko Budimir, and Police Director, Mr Siniša Kostrešević, organised the reception for commanders of the Special Police Brigade and Special Police Units. 

Minister Budimir stated that wartime commanders of detachments of the Special Police laid the foundations on which Ministry of the Interior rests today, and that their contribution during war, and as well as in the years that followed, represents the unforgettable part of the history in creating of the Republic of Srpska and its security systems. 

Minister Budimir stated that the marking of April 4 – the Republic of Srpska Police Day, started with the voluntarily blood action, once again demonstrating the social responsibility and solidarity of police officers. It continued with today’s reception, which was organised for the first time in honour of former commanders, members of the Central Police Brigade, as well as the Special Police Units and Special Police Brigade. 

"From now on, all Police Days will be marked with a reception for these people, upon whose foundations our Ministry's structure was built. I want to show them respect and express my gratitude for everything they did during the war, as many of them continued to serve afterwards. One of the former Ministers of Interior /Mr Dragan Lukač/ was the commander of the Sixth Detachment," Minister Budimir said.

"Furthermore, Minister Budimir announced that thematic meetings and lectures will be organised in the future within the educational institutions of the Ministry of the Interior, including the Police Academy and the High School of Internal Affairs. This will provide cadets and students with the opportunity to hear experience from veterans and heroes who participated in the foundation and development of the police structures."

Police General, Mr Ljubomir Borovčanin, expressed his gratitude for the attention and the reception, emphasising that it is an honour to be part of such a gathering.

‘’Everyone present here is equally responsible for the creation of the Republic of Srpska and the Ministry of Interior. We always return with special emotions to the institution we belonged to, as it represents the place where we felt the most secure and the proudest. It is an exceptional honour for all of us to be here today,’' stated Borovčanin, who served as the commander of the Special Police Units."

Mr Savo Cvjetinović, who was also a commander of the Special Police Units, pointed out that after 30 years, this was the first time the commanders had gathered in this manner.

"We would like to express our great gratitude to the Minister. I hope that this will become a tradition, as we feel at home here," Mr Cvjetinović said.

The eldest among them, the commander of the Seventh Detachment, Mr Zlatko Brdar, said he was delighted to be today in the institution they helped create.

"We all come to discuss important topics, because we always have their support," Mr Brdar said, congratulating all members on Police Day.