Police Reforms in Slovenia in the Past 25 Years

Abstract

AbstractSince 1991, policing in Slovenia has been characterized by several police reforms aimed at bringing the police closer to the western democratic style of policing. Initial reforms were symbolic, but important: they involved the renaming of the former militia (milica) to the police (policija) and the changing of insignias. Institutional reform reached its milestone in 1998 with the adoption of the new Police Act, which significantly changed police powers and introduced a civilian oversight of policing. The General Police Directorate became an autonomous body within the Ministry of the Interior. The year 2013 saw the adoption of new police legislation aimed at achieving decentralization, defining cooperation between the police and local communities by emphasizing problem-solving, community policing and intelligence-led policing. All legislative changes and efforts to improve policing in Slovenia are reflected in police training and the level of education required for entering the police increased from secondary school to a higher education qualification. Studies on efforts related to police reforms are also presented.