BRCKO DISTRICT SUPERVISOR RELIEVES OF DUTY TWO POLICE OFFICERS

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (February 19,2008) – The Brcko District Supervisor Raffi Gregorian issued an order in which Slobodan Katanic and Djordje Popovic are relieved of duty from the Brcko District Police.

He issued the order after the Appellate Committee adopted the resolution regarding the decision of Disciplinary Council on the termination of duty for these two officers, explaining that some procedural mistakes did not influence the verdict and Gregorian concluded that it is in the best interest of the District Police that these two are relieved of duty immediately, stated the OHR Office in Brcko.

The release explained that Gregorian planned to relieve these two police officers some time ago, but he waited on issuing the order since the Police Chief stated that he would do his best to improve the behavior of these two officers in the future, and in case this would not succeed, a disciplinary procedure would be initiated against them.

For over a year supervisor Gregorian received reports on severe breeches of duty, unprofessional behavior, inadequate service work and other inadequate activities of Katanic and Popovic with the purpose of endangering the efficiency of District Police.

Supervisor mentioned that the Tribunal for Brcko had a founding effect on the setup of professional, multi-ethnic, democratically oriented and responsible police forces in Brcko District.

Upholding the highest standards of professionalism and impartiality in the District police and especially among its high ranking officials, is the key for building a trust between citizens and Police in Brcko District, the Office of the International Community's High Representative in Bosnia (OHR) stated.
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