The Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has submitted to parliamentary procedure, under an urgent process, the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Police Officers of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The proposal is on the agenda of the parliamentary session scheduled for January 19 and 20.
The reason for this urgent intervention is an alarming assessment that the Federal Police Administration (FUP) could lose up to one-third of its personnel over the next three years, which would seriously jeopardize its operational capacity.
According to the Government’s explanation, the existing legal framework is not harmonized with the new Law on Pension and Disability Insurance (PIO). Mass retirements of experienced officers could lead to a disruption of the operational work of this law enforcement agency. The proposed amendments introduce several key measures.
Extension of Service Until the Age of 65 (Regardless of Years of Service)
The most significant change concerns police officers who have already met the conditions for retirement (such as 40 years of service or preferential service credits) but whose continued engagement is deemed necessary. Under the proposed amendments, a police officer may exceptionally remain in active service until the age of 65 if required by the needs of the service and if no adequate replacement is available.
This extension is not automatic. The head of the police authority must determine that such a need exists, and the officer must submit a formal request at least 30 days before meeting retirement eligibility.
“Extraordinary Promotion” to Fill Senior Command Positions
The Federal Police Administration is currently facing a shortage of personnel in senior ranks, including Senior Inspector, Independent Inspector, and Chief Inspector. To prevent a leadership vacuum, the amendments introduce the mechanism of extraordinary promotion.
If positions cannot be filled through regular procedures, accelerated promotion will be allowed for officers who hold a university degree (Bologna system, 240 ECTS) and who have received an “excellent” performance evaluation over the past five years. This form of promotion may be used only once during an officer’s career.
Transfer of Police Officers from Cantonal Ministries of Interior
To further address staffing shortages, the new law provides for the permanent transfer of police officers currently employed by cantonal Ministries of Interior. The Federal Police Administration will be able to take over officers of the same rank through an internal call, without a public competition, based on a written agreement between the two police authorities.
This provision also applies to entry-level ranks (“Police Officer” and “Junior Inspector”) prior to the announcement of a public recruitment procedure.
The explanatory notes state that during 2025, 2026, and 2027, one-third of the total number of FUP employees will meet the conditions for retirement. A particular concern is the departure of senior management staff (inspectors), while there are insufficient numbers of lower-ranking officers who could be promoted in time through standard procedures to replace them.
It is important to note that these measures are time-limited. Provisions on extraordinary promotion and extended service will apply only until 31 December 2027, by which time staff stabilization is expected.
The law will enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Newspapers of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, provided it receives approval from both chambers of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
