Montenegro Government Proposes Lazar Šćepanović for Police Director

The government of Montenegro has approved the proposal for Lazar Šćepanović to be appointed as the director of the Police Administration for a full term. This decision was made public on December 16, 2023, and is now set to be forwarded to the parliament for review and opinion. Following parliamentary feedback, the executive branch will make the final decision regarding Šćepanović’s appointment.

On December 15, 2023, the government had previously selected Šćepanović as the acting director of the Police Administration during an electronic session, on the recommendation of Danilo Šaranović, the Minister of Internal Affairs. According to the Law on Internal Affairs, the director is accountable for their actions to the Minister and the government. The director is appointed based on a public competition, with the government ultimately responsible for the selection following a ministerial proposal.

The law stipulates that the candidate for the director position must meet specific criteria. This includes having at least ten years of professional experience related to a level VII1 qualification in education, with a minimum of five years in managerial roles within the Police, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Defence, or the National Security Agency. Alternatively, candidates can have five years of judicial or prosecutorial experience.

Additionally, the law prohibits individuals who are members of a political party from holding the director position at the time of candidacy or for five years prior to submitting their application. The director is appointed for a five-year term, ensuring a degree of stability and continuity within the leadership of the Police Administration.

The next steps involve the parliamentary process, where the proposal will be considered by the Committee on Security. The outcome will play a crucial role in determining the future leadership of the police force in Montenegro, as the government seeks to maintain an effective and accountable law enforcement body.