Police officers in Montenegro are stepping up efforts to protect human rights through the introduction of newly developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

During two days of training, held on 26-27 September in Bijelo Polje, middle management staff from the Regional Centre “North” were trained on how to implement these procedures in their daily work. The sessions were organized as part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe action, “Enhancing human rights protection for detained and sentenced person in Montenegro”.

The training focused on familiarizing police officers with the new SOPs, which were developed with technical support from Council of Europe experts. These procedures are designed to ensure that the police operate in line with international human rights standards and best practices. By following these guidelines, Montenegro’s police aim to improve professionalism and accountability while upholding human rights.

The goal of these training sessions was to promote consistency in how police officers carry out their duties, reducing the risk of misconduct or overreach. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to enhance public trust in the police by ensuring that officers act within the limits of their authority and are accountable for their actions.

The action “Enhancing human rights protection for detained and sentenced person in Montenegro” is part of the broader joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”,  implemented by the Council of Europe. This initiative plays a crucial role in supporting Montenegro's efforts to meet European human rights standards, contributing to the country's ongoing reforms in the justice and law enforcement sectors.