Federal Minister of the Interior Ramo Isak spoke today about the arrest of several police officers suspected of committing serious crimes against minors, and expressed deep concern, outrage and determination that all those who abused the uniform and the trust of citizens face full responsibility for their actions.
He stressed that he was deeply shaken and outraged by the news of the arrest of police officers on suspicion of serious crimes against minors, and that such cases arouse feelings of anger, shame and concern in every person who believes in the vocation of a police officer as a guardian of law and dignity.
“Such people do not deserve to wear a police uniform, nor to be part of a system that has the task of protecting children, women and the most vulnerable members of society for a single day. Such actions are not only a shame for the police, but a wound for the entire society. This is not just an issue for individuals, but a systemic alarm for all of us: for ministries, social services, child protection centers, educational institutions and every citizen who must not turn a blind eye to evil,” said Isak.
He also asked how we got to the point where those who are supposed to protect become predators, adding that this requires a deep analysis and joint action by all institutions, without exception.
“In this whole terrible story, the only encouraging fact is that such cases are no longer being covered up. Today they are being discovered, processed and the public has the right to know. This is an indicator that, despite everything, there is a fight within the police structures for the honor and dignity of the police profession,” said Isak.
He provided full support to all honorable, honest and professional police officers who, every day, at enormous risks, honorably wear the uniform and defend the law.
Isak emphasized that they are the majority and that because of them, Isak emphasized, we must be determined to remove from the ranks of the police every stain, every individual who tarnishes the reputation of the service.
He called on all MoI in the Federation of BiH to take all legally prescribed measures without hesitation in order to prevent even the smallest forms of any abuse, but also other institutions, judicial, social, educational and so on, which must assume their share of responsibility.
“Our children must be protected, without exception and without compromise because it is the responsibility of every individual and every institution in this country,” Isak said.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Interior and the Federal Police Administration are at the disposal of all competent authorities and will provide full support within their legal jurisdiction.
“I call on everyone who has any knowledge or information about dishonest actions by police officers to immediately report this information to the competent authorities. We will not remain silent. We will not protect. At the beginning of our mandate, we promised to deal with crime in the ranks of the police and we have no intention of giving up on that,” Minister Isak’s reaction reads, according to a statement from the FMUP.
