Dačić supports officers, MUP denies strike

Members of the MUP riot police unit in Belgrade last night refused to patrol the streets, and cited exhaustion as the reason, reports suggested this Saturday. B92 has learned this morning that negotiations between their representatives and the chiefs of police in the capital resulted in an agreement, but the details remain unknown. Dacic supports officers, MUP denies strike It has been confirmed, however, that police will secure the weekend sporting events in Belgrade according to a previous schedule. Officers who opted to stay in their station houses on Friday night quoted exhaustion, fatigue and stress. The Police Union of Serbia said in a statement that this was a result of policemen working more hours a week than is legally allowed, and specified that some of them work "230 to 260 hours per month". This union requested that the Law on Police be respected in this regard, and urged for payment of overdue wages and other benefits. They also demanded that MUP refrains from launching disciplinary procedures against the organizers. Also today in Belgrade, Interior Minister Ivica Dacic reacted by saying that he supports the demands tabled by police unions, and announced Belgrade's riot police unit will "soon have new leadership". Dacic announced that he will invite all unions active within the MUP to a meeting without the commanders present, to discuss their problems. He also said that the government "has been discussing an increase in police salaries in the coming period", as well as solving other issues that officers face, such as housing. But, while the minister supported the unions, MUP's Media Office head Suzana Vasiljevic spoke to reporters on Saturday in Belgrade to deny that there were any protests or refusals to carry out orders, and said Belgrade police officers were undertaking their duties in a usual manner today. Vasiljevic added that while some organizational problems did occur, they will be solved shortly within the Police Directorate. She also said that one of police unions attempted to abuse this situation, notifying the media, "hoping to draw other members of the police in, and create confusion". However, Vasiljevic continued, Belgrade policemen refused any contact with this union. One of the chiefs in MUP's Belgrade Directorate, Slobodan Vukolic, also denied his officers had embarked on a strike, and explained they will carry out their activities as planned today. All the policemen of the brigade in question reported for duty last night and none of them refused orders, Vukolic said, "therefore, no disciplinary measures will be undertaken against anyone". Police officers were complaining of fatigue due to a high number of overtime hours, so they were allowed to spend last night on duty at the police stations, "which is one of the possibilities for the police to be on alert and react in time", he specified. Vukolic said that Veljko Mijailovic, who was identified in the media reports as the leader of one of MUP's unions, is in fact no longer a MUP employee. Tanjug learned earlier today that Mijailovic was sacked after a disciplinary procedure that found he was disrespecting the rules of service.

Dačić supports officers, MUP denies strike

It has been confirmed, however, that police will secure the weekend sporting events in Belgrade according to a previous schedule.

Officers who opted to stay in their station houses on Friday night quoted exhaustion, fatigue and stress. The Police Union of Serbia said in a statement that this was a result of policemen working more hours a week than is legally allowed, and specified that some of them work "230 to 260 hours per month".

This union requested that the Law on Police be respected in this regard, and urged for payment of overdue wages and other benefits. They also demanded that MUP refrains from launching disciplinary procedures against the organizers.

Also today in Belgrade, Interior Minister Ivica Dačić reacted by saying that he supports the demands tabled by police unions, and announced Belgrade's riot police unit will "soon have new leadership".

Dačić announced that he will invite all unions active within the MUP to a meeting without the commanders present, to discuss their problems.

He also said that the government "has been discussing an increase in police salaries in the coming period", as well as solving other issues that officers face, such as housing.

But, while the minister supported the unions, MUP's Media Office head Suzana Vasiljević spoke to reporters on Saturday in Belgrade to deny that there were any protests or refusals to carry out orders, and said Belgrade police officers were undertaking their duties in a usual manner today.

Vasiljević added that while some organizational problems did occur, they will be solved shortly within the Police Directorate.

She also said that one of police unions attempted to abuse this situation, notifying the media, "hoping to draw other members of the police in, and create confusion".

However, Vasiljević continued, Belgrade policemen refused any contact with this union.

One of the chiefs in MUP's Belgrade Directorate, Slobodan Vukolić, also denied his officers had embarked on a strike, and explained they will carry out their activities as planned today.

All the policemen of the brigade in question reported for duty last night and none of them refused orders, Vukolić said, "therefore, no disciplinary measures will be undertaken against anyone".

Police officers were complaining of fatigue due to a high number of overtime hours, so they were allowed to spend last night on duty at the police stations, "which is one of the possibilities for the police to be on alert and react in time", he specified.

Vukolić said that Veljko Mijailović, who was identified in the media reports as the leader of one of MUP's unions, is in fact no longer a MUP employee.

Tanjug learned earlier today that Mijailović was sacked after a disciplinary procedure that found he was disrespecting the rules of service.