Is FUP destroying itself from within: Lukač reduced annual training for special forces

While awaiting the final decision of the Police Board on the appeals of the aggrieved candidates in the competition for admission to the Special Unit of the Federal Police Administration, numerous other questions are also emerging. Incidentally, the members of the Police Board are Nurudin Hafizović and Mirko Kuprešaković from the FUP and Rijada Halilović (F MUP). This same board decided on appeals in the previous competition, in which Dragan Lukač also removed several Bosniaks from the list of the most successful candidates, replacing them with far lower-ranked candidates. Although that competition was ultimately annulled, it did not prevent Lukač from repeating the same scandal this year.

Four candidates – Bosniaks whom the Commission rated among the top 15 in the testing – Lukač removed from the list and replaced with far lower-ranked candidates who declared themselves as Others and Croats.

The OHR has also become involved in this entire case, calling on the competent authorities to respect the law and procedures. And the law is clear. Only after the Police Board has the final say can Lukač make changes. However, thinking he would get off easily given the lack of oversight of his work, Lukač placed himself above the law. Now it is up to the Police Board, and there is great interest in this case from numerous international institutions.

Aware of the fact that he is in a position that allows him every form of arbitrariness, which no one can currently prevent because the Independent Board has not existed for two years and all attempts to establish it have failed, Lukač continuously engages in dishonourable actions.

The Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is his employer, as well as the relevant minister Aljoša Čampara, should demonstrate in this case that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a state governed by the rule of law and that it respects applicable laws. Lukač has long met the conditions for retirement, and it is known that he has also erased part of his work record.

The scandal surrounding the admission to the Special Unit of the FUP does not subside, and the FUP itself suffers the most damage due to Lukač's arbitrariness. The letters arriving at the editorial office of the Patria agency since the media began reporting on events in the FUP contain several very precise questions addressed to Director Lukač.

- Is it true that the Special Police Unit has not had a commander appointed by the director's decision for more than a year?
- Is it true that the SPU is missing two assistant commanders?
- Is it true that you retired the only helicopter pilot who had a valid license to operate the SPU helicopter, and then hired him under a service contract when you were told what you had done?
- Is it true that you have now reassigned the top special forces officers you received from the Ministry of Interior of Sarajevo Canton to other positions outside the SPU?
- Is it true that, for the sake of "saving" ammunition and money for field training, you reduced the annual training of special forces and police officers in general?
- Is it true that special forces officers have not had a medical examination for more than a year?
- Can an acting position exist under the Law in relation to a police officer, or can these duties be performed for only 6 months by order of the director, but never as an acting officer?
- Why have you not announced a vacancy for the position of SPU commander for a year?
- In your 6-year term so far, have you ever tried to find a solution for the accommodation of the Special Police Unit, which is a tenant in the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina?
- In your 6-year term, have you purchased a single new purpose-built van or other vehicle for the needs of the SPU? This does not refer to luxury vehicles.
- What is the average age of the members of the Special Police Unit?
- During your term, has the FUP SPU won any collective recognition at international competitions of special units, and have you sent them at all?

The unit that was the backbone of the city's defence in the first days of the attack on Sarajevo is now being deliberately destroyed by individuals, most of all by the actions of Dragan Lukač.

For years, warnings have been issued about mobbing and pressure in the Federal Police Administration, as well as about Lukač nominating himself for monetary and other awards, along with people loyal to him. Genuine professionals are always bypassed for awards.

The sole culprit for the scandal surrounding the Federal Police Administration is Dragan Lukač, but the Minister of Interior Aljoša Čampara cannot be absolved of responsibility either for failing to ensure the enforcement of the law.