BE THE LAW! Yesterday – today – tomorrow

POLICE MUSEUM EXHIBITION

O

INTRODUCTION

BE THE LAW! Yesterday – today – tomorrow

POLICE MUSEUM EXHIBITION

The exhibition covers the development of police forces in Croatia from the 9th century to the present day, with an emphasis on key changes since the mid-19th century. Among the interesting exhibits, a collection of Croatian-made weapons from the beginning of the Homeland War stands out, including machine guns by Pleter, Vila Velebita, Agram 2000, Crogar, Šokac, Zagi, Alka and others.

A special section of the exhibition consists of police equipment and uniforms. This exhibition evokes the memory of the sacrifice and importance of the Croatian Police, the National Protection, the National Guard and the Croatian Army in the creation of a free and independent Republic of Croatia in the Homeland War.

In a section of the exhibition, The Beauty of False Glamour, counterfeit works by famous world artists and Croatian greats are displayed. Since 2009, the Police Museum has collected more than 80 counterfeits by Croatian and world greats in its Crime Collection, such as Boris Bućan, Đuro Pulitika, Ivan Lacković Croata, Mersad Berber, Charles Billich, Edo Murtić and many others, including counterfeits of works by global artists such as Renoir, Picasso, Dalí and Modigliani. This part of the exhibition is not only a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of counterfeiters but also to the tireless work of those who protect the authenticity and integrity of works of art.

The Zagreb School of Polygraphy is also unmissable, as it placed Croatia in a leading position in criminal investigations in the former Yugoslavia in the second half of the 20th century, and part of the exhibition recalls important people and events in the creation and development of the Zagreb School of Polygraphy.

The collection of criminal techniques is presented with a simulated scene of a serious crime and allows visitors to experience the situations that police officers face every day.

Each room on the 1st floor of the Nehaj Fortress has a separate thematic unit of this exhibition, and the exhibition will be on display until 31st August 2025.

ALL THE CONTENTS OF THE EXHIBITION CAN BE READ IN ENGLISH VIA A QR CODE – THEY CAN BE READ WITH AN ORDINARY CAMERA ON A MOBILE PHONE.

1

THE GENDARMERIE 1849-1918

(Austrian Empire, Austro-Hungary)

The numerous police organisations, according to the Viennese Court, were not sufficient to perform all police tasks, which is why Emperor Franz Joseph founded the Bundesgendarmerie (Federal Gendarmerie) on 8th June 1849 (that date is still celebrated in Austria as Austrian Gendarmerie Day).

On 18th January 1850, the Landes-Gendarmerie Act introduced the gendarmerie to all parts of the Austrian Empire, including the Croatian lands known here as the “Oružništvo.”

The gendarmerie became a special armed force that was supposed to take care of public order and security. It was a “guarding force organised and structured in a military manner” with the task of preserving and defending public safety, peace and order, finding and arresting lawbreakers, supporting the enforcement of laws and regulations, and alike.

The Landes-Gendarmerie (Regional Gendarmerie) was an integral part of the Imperial-Royal Army and was subject to military jurisdiction. The gendarmerie was divided into regiments, each with approximately 1,000 members.

Three regiments were stationed in the territory of present-day Croatia:

• Regiment no. 10 Croatia and Slavonia (with headquarters in Zagreb)
• Regiment no. 11 Illyria (with headquarters in Ljubljana)
• Regiment no.16 Dalmatia (based in Zadar))

• A regiment was commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel, who was assigned two additional staff officers (usually majors).
• The first gendarmes who came to Croatia spoke exclusively German and were viewed as an army of occupation. Only later were the gendarmerie filled exclusively with candidates who knew the Croatian language.
• Only excellent soldiers from other parts of the armed forces were admitted to the gendarmerie, and from 1859, recruits were also admitted, and these were exclusively upstanding and honourable citizens in whom, at least theoretically, any abuse of their power was completely excluded.

• At the summons of a gendarme, “In the name of the law”, everyone was obliged to obey his commands.
• A gendarme’s walk down the street had to be military, quiet and dignified;he was forbidden to smoke tobacco in the street, lead dogs and laugh excessively, and in general, he had to avoid anything that could make people ridicule him.
• This “Oružništvo” was dismantled in March 1919 and became part of a newer gendarmerie known as the “Žandarmerija.”

2

THE ŽANDARMERIJA 1919-1941

(Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, Kingdom of Yugoslavia)

On 26th February 1919, on the basis of the Regulation on the Formation, Equipment and Jurisdiction of the Žandarmerija (i.e. Gendarmerie), the Gendarmerie was established as a single armed force throughout the entire Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.

With the aforementioned regulation, the Royal Croatian-Slavonic “Oružništvo” and the Royal “Oružništvo” in Dalmatia become part of the Gendarmerie (Žandarmerija).

The Gendarmerie was part of the standing army of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, which was responsible for watching over public safety, maintaining public order, and ensuring law enforcement.

The 4th Gendarmerie Brigade, with its headquarters in Zagreb, was responsible for Croatia and Slavonia. The 6th Gendarmerie Brigade, with its headquarters in Split, was responsible for Dalmatia.

Equipping the new Gendarmerie with unique uniforms and equipment was very slow, so the gendarmes in Croatia continued to wear the old police uniforms for years. Nevertheless, they immediately had to put a cockade with the national tricolour (blue-white-red) on their caps.

A large number of Croats were transferred to gendarmerie stations far from their homes; many were dismissed or retired, and Serbs took their place.

With the creation of the Banate of Croatia in 1939, a new reorganisation of the gendarmerie began. On 12th October 1939, the Gendarmerie Brigade of the Banate of Croatia was founded, with its headquarters in Zagreb, at no. 19 Branimirova Street.

Jovan Stanisavljević, better known as Čaruga, was an outlaw who robbed people in Slavonia and Lika during and after the First World War. In his time, numerous legends circulated among the people about him and his exploits. Stories were told, and songs were composed about the “protector of the poor who only attacks the rich, just like that English outlaw Robin Hood.”

He introduced himself by various names and on various occasions, such as Jovo Stanisavljević, Nikola Drezgić and Milan Barić. He was called the “Gorski tić” (“little highland bird”) and the Slavonian Robin Hood, and he was remembered as Čaruga. It is written that he was of medium height, had a black moustache and hair, dark eyes and was slim, quick and agile with a weapon. After a series of crimes, Čaruga had a bounty of 120,000 dinars on his head. He was arrested on 23rd December 1923 in Vinkovci.

At dawn on 27th February 1925, more than 3,000 people were waiting for Jovan Stanisavljević Čaruga in the courtyard of the Royal Court Table in Osijek. When the municipal clerk called out his name: “Jovan Stanisavljević!” Čaruga added,

“I am Jovan Stanisavljević Čaruga. My respects, Mr. Executioner. Farewell, people, Čaruga is off!”

3

THE POLICE FORCE 1914-1945

(The Independent State of Croatia)

With the proclamation of the Independent State of Croatia (NDH), the tasks related to the scope of internal affairs were carried out by the Chief Commissioner for Internal Affairs in Zagreb and from 4th May 1941 to 24th June 1941 by the Directorate for Public Order and Security (RAVSIGUR).

The legal provision of the state government of the NDH established the Ministry of the Interior in June 1941, which included the aforementioned Directorate. By an order of 4th June 1941, the Racial-Political Commission (abolished in 1942) was also established within it. On 31st January 1942, the Central Office for the Suppression of Criminality was founded within the Directorate for Public Order and Security, and on 22nd June 1942, the Police Guard of the Independent State of Croatia (NDH). From 15th October 1942, general directorates were established, which increased the scope of the Ministry. These consisted of:

1. General Directorate for Internal Administration
2. General Directorate for Public Order and Security
3. General Directorate for Public Works
4. General Directorate for Healthcare
5. General Directorate for Associations and Social Welfare

With the abolition of the Ustasha Surveillance Service (UNS) on 21st January 1943, the Ministry of the Interior also took over its affairs. After a reorganisation, at the end of 1943, only the General Directorate for Internal Administration and the General Directorate for Public Order and Security remained in the Ministry of the Interior. At the beginning of 1944, the Ministry of the Interior took over the “oružništvo” (gendarmerie) from the remit of the Ministry of the Armed Forces.

In April 1943, a German police organisation was established in Croatia, staffed with Germans from the Reich, Croats (whom the German police authorities were allowed to recruit and transfer from the Armed Forces of the Independent State of Croatia) and Croatian Volksdeutsche (members of the German National Army). The new police units were under the direct command of Germany, and they took over most of the police’s powers. They wore German uniforms with Croatian coats of arms.

A very extensive police and intelligence network was established in the NDH, and numerous centres and personnel covered the entire country. The structure of the various NDH police departments was very complex and constantly changed.

A specific problem in the work of the police-intelligence service was that the NDH area was covered by a network of other, mostly enemy intelligence services, which were generally better organised, trained and equipped. Therefore, a lot of energy was spent on their detection, monitoring and neutralisation.

4

MILICIJA – POLICE FORCE 1945-1990

(Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)

The People’s Police Force (Narodna milicija) was founded in the autumn of 1944, during the Second World War in Yugoslavia, in the liberated and semi-liberated areas under the People’s Liberation Committees (NOO) or local commands. During the Second World War, it was known under various names, such as Partizanska straža (Partisan Guard), Seoska straža (Rural Guard), and Narodna zaštita (National Guard), among others.

After 1944, it was named the Narodna milicija (People’s Police) and from 1964 simply Milicija, i.e. the Police. The Police Force was part of the Federal Secretariat of Internal Affairs (SSUP) and was in charge of preserving internal order and peace.

The Constitution of the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia from 1946 determined the internal organisation of the Internal Affairs Service.

The basic services were:

• Administration of state security
• People’s Police
• Criminal investigation service.

The Law on the Internal Affairs Service from 1964 abolished the name People’s Police, so becoming simply the Police.

After 1967, the State Security Service (SDB) was separated from the Secretariat of Internal Affairs (SUP).

Unlike the armed forces of the SFR Yugoslavia, whose organisation and jurisdiction were on the territory of the entire SFRY, the Police were organised on a territorial principle and organised into organisational and formational units, which were departments, stations, platoons, companies, battalions, detachments and brigades.

In peacetime, the Police cooperated closely with the organs and units of the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) and the JNA’s military police.

In the event of war, the Police were part of the Territorial Defence of the armed forces of the SFR Yugoslavia.

5

THE POLICE FROM 1990 TO THE PRESENT DAY

A new period in European history began in the 1980s, and in these regions, the war-torn 1990s were certainly marked by more powerful political and military turmoil.

It was in this atmosphere, in the late afternoon of 25th July 1990, that a Croatian policeman took off the five-pointed star from his cap and put on a cap with the historical Croatian coat of arms, and the Croatian Parliament, by adopting an amendment to the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Croatia, and on a symbolic level abolished socialism and all socialist symbols in Croatia. Croatian policemen then took on a completely new task: guarding the state border.

In order to strengthen their forces, the “First Croatian Police Officer” course was held at the Police Academy in August 1990 for 1,800 participants. Apart from performing regular duties, the police also actively participated in the battles for the defence of the homeland, which is a unique example in the world. Until the establishment of the Croatian Army, the police were the only foundation of defence and the guarantor of the security of the state and citizens.

Today, the police are a public service to citizens and perform tasks prescribed by law, which are carried out by the General Police Directorate, while 20 police administrations operate regionally. Prevention is high on the list of priorities, and in cooperation with citizens and the wider community, work is being done to prevent undesirable behaviour, teach self-protective behaviour, and traffic culture.

Croatian police officers have been participating in peacekeeping missions since 2005, and our projects, such as Safe Tourist Destinations, are being taken on and implemented by police forces around the world. The aim of the project, which Interpol has recommended to its members, is to improve communication with foreign tourists and achieve a higher level of security. The police thereby also contribute to the development of Croatian tourism.

As a member of Interpol, Europol, Frontex, ATLAS and other EU agencies and international organisations, the Croatian police contribute to the prevention and suppression of all forms of crime and terrorism.

With the entry of the Republic of Croatia into the Schengen Area, the Croatian police took on the role of an EU shield. Today, the Croatian police are equipped with modern equipment and technology provided by EU funds and the state budget.

6

THE LEAD UP TO THE HOMELAND WAR

1990 – 1991

In the late 1980s, part of the Serbian population in the Republic of Croatia came under the strong political influence of Belgrade, where the rise to power of Slobodan Milošević marked the beginning of a wave of Serbian nationalism.

The victory of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) in the first parliamentary elections in Croatia in 1990 was interpreted by part of the Serbian population as a kind of restoration of the Ustasha regime from the Second World War and became even more strongly linked to Belgrade’s politics. In the summer of 1990, their secret arming began through local Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) garrisons, and in August 1991, with road barricades and the organisation of autonomous regions in areas inhabited by the Serbian population (so-called Serb autonomous regions), the first manifestation of rebellion against the Government in Zagreb occurred. The first armed clashes between Serbian paramilitary formations and the Croatian police occurred in the autumn of 1990 in Petrinja and in March 1991 in Pakrac and Plitvice.

In February 1991, a decision was made about the accession of Pakrac to the Serb Autonomous Region of Krajina. The Pakrac police station was placed under the auspices of the Secretariat for Internal Affairs of Krajina, and on 1st March, all non-Serb police officers were disarmed. Pakrac was the target of the Serbian aggressors, who wanted the town to be a starting point for the expansion of aggression against Croatia.

With the rapid intervention of the special purpose units of the Croatian police, the entire municipality of Pakrac was returned to the constitutional order of the Republic of Croatia.

This operation began the Homeland War. It was precisely at this first step – in the Pakrac area – that the enemies met their match. They encountered the Croatian police, who intervened quickly and effectively. Otherwise, if they had succeeded in their intention, the war in Croatia would certainly have taken a completely different course with more victims. From then until the end of the war, Pakrac was and remained the only town in Croatia that was defended exclusively by the Croatian police.

This was followed on 31st March 1991 by Bloody Easter at Plitvice Lakes. In order to return the area of the Plitvice Lakes National Park to the Republic of Croatia, special police forces occupied the national park. On that occasion, in a clash with Serbian renegades, the first Croatian police officer, Josip Jović, was fatally wounded, the first Croatian police officer killed in the Homeland War.

A hint of a general war occurred on 2nd May 1991, when 12 Croatian police officers were killed in an ambush in Borovo Selo near Vukovar.

7

THE BATTLE FOR PAKRAC

2nd March 1991 – August 1995

The first armed conflict between the Croatian police and the rebel Serbs took place on 2nd March 1991 in Pakrac.

The commander of the Pakrac Police Station, Jovo Vezmar, illegally mobilised only members of the Serb nationality into the reserve police force, who, with the help of local Serb extremists, disarmed the police officers of other nationalities and took over the Pakrac Police Station, refusing to carry out the orders of the Croatian Ministry of the Interior.

The aim of this armed rebellion was the violent implementation of the illegal decision of 22nd February 1991 to annex the Pakrac municipality to the Serbian parastate in Croatia (the so-called Serb Autonomous Region of Krajina) and the annexation of the Pakrac Police Station to the Secretariat of Internal Affairs (SUP) of Krajina.

This was followed by the intervention of the Croatian police – the anti-terrorist unit and the special purpose unit of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia from Zagreb and the “Omega” Special Police Unit from Bjelovar. The aforementioned forces were accompanied by a mobile surgical team of the Medical Staff of the Republic of Croatia, for which this was the first action to provide medical support to the Croatian Armed Forces. Due to the intervention of the Ministry of the Interior units, the rebel Serb police officers and armed Serb extremists were forced to retreat to high ground above the town (Kalvarija Hill).

From there, they opened fire on the members of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia, who returned fire. At around 4.50 pm, the search operation was suspended due to the arrival of the Vice-President of the Presidency of the SFRY, Stjepan Mesić. He met in Pakrac with Petar Gračanin, the Federal Secretary of the Interior, who came accompanied by a Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) general.

In the meantime, armoured vehicles of the Yugoslav People’s Army entered Pakrac and positioned themselves in the town centre, in front of the municipality building and the Bishop’s Court. However, the town remained under the control of the Croatian police. There were no deaths in the conflict, but several Croatian police officers were wounded, three from the Tuškanac Special Purpose Unit (Željko Vidmar, Goran Kljajić and Nikola Župan).

The intention of the Serbian extremists to provoke a major conflict between the Croatian police and the Yugoslav People’s Army in Pakrac did not succeed. The conflict in Pakrac was the first armed conflict between the Croatian police forces and Serbian extremists after the establishment of the new, democratically elected Croatian government.

Heavy fighting for Pakrac continued right up until the Sarajevo ceasefire (3rd January 1992), but there was no peace even after that.

8

BLOOD AT EASTER AT PLITVICE LAKES

31st March 1991

The Plitvice Lakes operation on 31st March 1991 was the Croatian police’s response to the rebel occupation of the Plitvice Lakes National Park and the blocking of the ‘D1’ state road that connected the north and south of the country. The operation carried out in two stages, involved the Rakitje Special Purpose Unit and the Lučko Anti-Terrorist Unit, which took the lead in seizing the Korana bridge and securing the entry of police forces into the National Park. In the early morning hours, strong Ministry of the Interior (MUP) forces set off along the main road towards the Hotel Jezero, but the Croatian police convoy was ambushed by rebels. The conflict lasted several hours, and enemy resistance, deep snow and thick fog made it difficult for the Croatian police to break through. According to police reports, after the successful Plitvice operation, 29 rebels were arrested, and 18 of them were charged with armed rebellion.

Unfortunately, at the end of the operation, 22-year-old Josip Jović, a member of the Rakitje Special Purpose Unit, was killed, and nine police officers were wounded. The rebels shot at Jović from the post office. Although he was wearing a bulletproof vest, a bullet hit him in an unprotected part of his body. Despite all the efforts of the medical team, Josip died before reaching the hospital.

Josip Jović was the first victim of the Homeland War and the first police officer to die in the fight for the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Croatia. This event is recorded in recent Croatian history as the Bloody Easter of 1991.

9

THE FIRST CROATIAN POLICE OFFICER

5th August 1990

The First Croatian Police Officer is the name of the course of the Croatian police forces, which grew into the first combat unit and the backbone of the armed forces of the Republic of Croatia.

At the beginning of 1990, Croatia could not count on its army because the Territorial Defence had been disarmed. Any renewed attempt at arming carried the risk of being qualified as illegitimate arming. Territorial Defence was also responsible to the republican bodies of the Socialist Republic of Croatia, as well as the Federal Secretariat for People’s Defence. The legal options were analysed, and a loophole was found. Namely, according to Article 25 of the Law on Internal Affairs of the Republic of Socialist Republic of Croatia, the republican secretary for internal affairs is given the authority and the possibility to create “as many special purpose units as are judged to be necessary according to the needs of the social situation, i.e. the political situation.”

On 5th August 1990, on the premises of today’s “First Croatian Police Officer” Police Academy in Zagreb, two battalions with about members were formed.

On 8th August 1990, the review of the units was carried out by the President of the Republic of Croatia, Dr Franjo Tuđman, who said on that occasion:

“You must be representatives of the new democratic sovereign government of Croatia and gain the trust of the people. You must be decisive and resolute, uncompromising, but extremely polite and cultured. Every person must see you as his guardian, as their representative. And in that sense, I beg you, but also command you, to appear on the streets, in villages and cities, and to be what your minister will demand of you and what the leadership of Croatia will demand – to be a true guarantor of peace and order for the Republic of Croatia.”

In order to intervene in the Knin area, where rebels had blocked roads from the interior of Croatia to Dalmatia by placing logs, the course participants had to be the first to launch police operations on 17th August 1990. Among the first operations was the suppression of the rebellions in Dvor na Uni, Petrinja and Glina, during which weapons were seized from police stations.

10

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL GUARD

20th April 1991

The Croatian National Guard was established by a Decision about the Organisation of the Croatian National Guard, which was issued by President Franjo Tuđman on 20th April 1991. For legal and political reasons, these forces were formally organised within the Ministry of the Interior because, at that time, Croatia was still formally part of the SFRY. The units of the National Guard were commanded by the Ministry of Defence. The National Guard was established in response to the disarmament of the Territorial Defence in Croatia and also due to the inability of the new state of Croatia to ensure territorial integrity and the functioning of the rule of law throughout the entire state.

The first brigades of the National Guard were presented to the Croatian public at a ceremonial review on 28th May 1991, with a parade, awarding flags to the brigades, and taking the oath at the FC Zagreb stadium in Kranjčevićeva Street. Today, that date is celebrated as the Day of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatian Armed Forces and Army Day.

By 12th August, four brigades had been established, and this presentation of the National Guard completed the establishment of the defence system of the Republic of Croatia. At that time, the Croatian Armed Forces had about 60,000 members, of which 30,000 were part of the Ministry of the Interior.

Based on the Defence Act passed in September 1991, the Armed Forces were organised into a single Croatian Army (HV), and on 21st September 1991, the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces (GSHV) was established, with General Anton Tus as its Chief of Staff. The National Guard was retained as a separate professional unit within the Croatian Army. The last part of the armed forces was the Home Guard. The reserve component of the National Guard and Territorial Defence became the reserve component of the Croatian Army.

On 3rd November 1991, the National Guard units were officially renamed the Croatian Army.

11

THE BATTLE OF VUKOVAR

24th August – November 1991

The city of Vukovar is a symbol of resistance to the many times superior Serbian aggressor in the defence of the Croatian homeland. It is a symbol of the suffering and hardship of the Croatian population and the site of incredible war crimes and destruction committed in recent Croatian history and in Europe after the Second World War.

The Battle of Vukovar was the largest, bloodiest and longest battle of the Homeland War. The open Serbian aggression on Vukovar and the three-month continuous shelling of the city from all directions and with all available means began on 25th August 1991 with a fierce general attack on the city.

One of the strongest attacks came on 14th September. The fierce fighting lasted until 20th September. In these days of fighting, the Croatian defenders inflicted huge material losses on the enemy army. Despite being poorly armed, they destroyed a large number of enemy tanks in just those days, mostly on the Trpinjska road, which then became known as the “tank graveyard.”

During the defence of Vukovar, a large number of armoured vehicles were destroyed, according to some data, between 300 and 400, of which about 200 were tanks. In one attack on the Trpinjska road that was defended by Croatian forces led by the late legendary commanders, heroes of the defence of Vukovar Blago Zadro and Marko Babić, a column of about thirty armoured vehicles was stopped by Marko Babić’s group, who single-handedly destroyed five tanks out of a total of eleven, as well as three transporters. According to the Croatian defenders’ estimates, 17 tanks and one enemy aircraft were destroyed in just one day.

Despite the superhuman efforts of the Vukovar defenders, on 18th November 1991, Vukovar was occupied by the enemy army, whose members then committed terrible war crimes against the Vukovar population and defenders.

The city was completely destroyed. It is a fascinating fact that the Croatian defenders of Vukovar withstood the attacks of a tenfold larger and incomparably better-armed enemy for almost three months, although the majority of the defenders and their commanders had neither the necessary military training nor combat experience. But they were resourceful and brave.

Some of them, for example, the commander of the defence of Borovo Naselje Blago Zadro, the commander of the Military Police Alfred Hill, the commander of the defence of Mitnica Ivo Šoljić “Veliki Joe”, the commander of the engineering unit Nenad Sinković Legija, the commanders at Sajmište (Velimir Derek Sokol, Ivan Poljak Sokol, Petar Kačić Bojler and many others), became legends and heroes of the defence of Vukovar during their lifetime. They died on the front lines, fighting side by side with other known and unknown brave Croatian defenders, which speaks of the ferocity of the conflict and the courage of the people who led the Vukovar defenders.

According to some data, which include the entire logistics and medical and nursing staff of the Vukovar hospital, during the Serbian siege in the hostile environment, the city of Vukovar (including the village of Bogdanovci) was defended by around 4,020 defenders. However, the armed defenders in the city itself never exceeded the number of 1,800 to 2,000 members of the police, the Croatian National Guard, the Croatian Armed Forces, and volunteers from various parts of Croatia organised into the 204th HV Brigade, stretched out over a front of more than 10 kilometres.

12

OPERATION SWATH-10

31st October – 1st November 1991

Operation Swath-10 (Otkos 10) is considered one of the first liberation operations of the Croatian Army and police in the Homeland War.

In the autumn of 1991, most of the area of the municipalities of Grubišno Polje and Daruvar was isolated and temporarily occupied by the enemy, and preparations and implementation of the operation to liberate this territory began.

The Bjelovar Operational Zone of the Croatian Army (HV) organised Operation Swath-10, which began on 31st October 1991. In this operation, the Croatian forces had a total of 2,847 defenders along with the participation of police forces: Special Police Units Bjelovar, dedicated companies of the Virovitica Police Station, dedicated companies of the Grubišno Polje Police Station and the Veliki Grđevac Police Station.

In accordance with the order, the Bjelovar Special Police Unit was tasked with breaking through the line of Velika Pisanica – Buban – Zrinska – Mali Grđevac – Velika Barna. In the town of Buban, terrorists built bunkers and set up barricades on the access roads, which they secured with mines and explosive devices. When the unit came upon the barricades, the terrorists opened heavy fire with infantry weapons and police officer Darko Polak was seriously wounded. Due to the very unfavourable situation on the unit’s line of action and the strong resistance from the terrorists on the first day, the unit tried to weaken the enemy’s defence with artillery.

After a full day of fighting, the unit was returned to the base, where additional preparations were made. The next day, 1st November, in the morning, the unit set out to break through again, reinforced with an armoured personnel carrier.

After removing barricades and mines and heavy artillery preparation, the enemy line was penetrated. In the rapid breakthrough, the terrorists were pushed out of Zrinska, Gornja Kovačica and Mali Grđevac. During the fighting near Buban, Mario Topolovčan and Ivica Ivančić were seriously wounded. After entering Mali Grđevac, four prisoners were found who had been liquidated by the terrorists during their retreat.

During the fighting, enemy air forces also operated several times over Veliki Grđevac and the wider area of Grubišno Polje. After “clearing” Mali Grđevac, the unit entered Veliki Barna, where it joined up with members of the Croatian Army and the entire area of Grubišno Polje was liberated.

Operation Swath-10 prevented the 5th Banja Luka Corps from joining forces at Bilogora and their breakthrough towards Podravina. Croatian forces took the initiative at Bilogora and created the preconditions for continuing operations towards Papuk and Psunj, and about 370 km2 of the territory of Western Slavonia was liberated.

13

OPERATION MASLENICA

22nd-27th January 1993

The successfully implemented military and police liberation operation of Maslenica (codenamed “Gusar”) was the first organised combat action of the joint forces of the Special Units of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia and the Croatian Army, carried out from 22nd-25th January 1993. It liberated 92 km2 of Croatian territory in just 72 hours and enabled the re-connection of Dalmatia with mainland Croatia by road. The entire course of the operation was planned and carried out from 6th-27th January 1993, while combat operations began on the ground at 6 am on 22nd January 1993.

During Operation Maslenica, the joint forces of the Special Units of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia captured key high points and buildings on Velebit, which was crucial support for the Croatian defence forces in conducting active defensive and further offensive operations. The joint special police forces alone, carrying out all their tasks in full and on time, liberated an area of 25 x 20 kilometres. Thanks to the courage, bravery, and loyalty to the homeland of the Croatian defenders and members of the special police, the Zadar hinterland, the city of Zadar, Zemunik airport, and the Zadar-Maslenica-Karlobag communication route were liberated, which reconnected the north and south of Croatia, and the enemy was pushed back from the Croatian coast.

In doing so, Operation Maslenica went down in history and was a turning point in the course of the Homeland War up to that point, restoring self-confidence, dignity, pride and hope to the Croatian people in the complete liberation of their homeland. Operation Maslenica also demonstrated to the international community the readiness and courage of the Croats, the Croatian armed forces, created in almost impossible conditions, to defend and liberate the occupied Croatian territories.

Writing about the crucial participation of special police members in the successful completion of Operation Maslenica, the monthly magazine of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia Halo 92 in its January 1993 issue, states, “The Croatian police did what they had to do, they showed their “teeth” at the moment when it was necessary. Croatia also showed that it is sufficiently militarily organised to be able to exercise its sovereignty over its entire territory. Croatia must now preserve its territorial status. A military withdrawal is possible but with the permanent stay of the Croatian police.”

In the continuation of this text under the title Police Blitzkrieg, journalist B. Mirosavljev characterises the special police officers in Operation Maslenica, writing that they were guided by the motto “survive and win”, stating: “The police officers and commanders demonstrated responsibility, initiative, resourcefulness, persistence, energy, self-confidence, courage and determination to “solve” the task in the shortest possible time! This was the case, for example, in the heart of Velebit: acting independently in combat, in ambushes and in close combat when they lost contact with the base, the special unit reinforced by active and reserve police officers, after a covert movement – surprised the enemy!”

14

OPERATION FLASH

1st-4th May 1995

The Croatian Government was continuously trying to peacefully reintegrate the occupied parts of Croatia through diplomatic channels. However, the leadership of the rebel Serbs in Croatia, relying on the help of Serbia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, rejected every peace proposal that envisaged the return of the occupied territory to the Croatian state and legal order.

Operation Flash began on 1st May 1995 at 5.21 am, along an approximately 80-kilometer-long front and in three directions – from the east, north and west. With powerful strikes by Croatian forces, the occupied area of Western Slavonia was cut through, the resistance of the enemy forces was broken, and Jasenovac, Okučani and Stara Gradiška were liberated. In less than 32 hours, on 1st and 2nd May, Croatian forces liberated approximately 500 km2 of previously occupied Western Slavonian territory and established control over the Zagreb – Lipovac motorway and the railway to Eastern Slavonia. On the afternoon of 4th May, the fourth day of the operation, the unconditional surrender of enemy Serbian forces at Gavrinica above Pakrac marked the final defeat of the policy of a Greater Serbia in Western Slavonia.

Operation Flash was carried out, alongside the Croatian Army, by special police units (SPU) from the Special Police Sector, Anti-Terrorist Unit Lučko, SPU Alfa of Zagreb Police Administration (PA), SPU Omega of Bjelovar-Bilogora County PA, SPU Ban of Koprivnica-Križevci County PA, SPU Šap of Brod-Posavina County PA, SPU Bak of Istria County PA, SPU Osa of Sisak-Moslavina County PA, SPU Ris of Sisak-Moslavina County PA, SPU Orao of Osijek-Baranja County PA, SPU Trenk of Požega-Slavonia County PA, SPU Grom of Karlovac County PA, SPU Tigar of Lika-Senj County PA, SPU Ajkula of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County PA, SPU Poskoci of Zadar County PA, SPU Delta of Vukovar-Srijem County PA, SPU Roda of Varaždin County PA, SPU Barun of Krapina-Zagorje County PA, SPU Jastrebovi of Šibenik-Knin County PA, and SPU BATT of Split-Dalmatia County PA. Around 7,200 Croatian soldiers and police officers participated in Operation Flash. 51 Croatian soldiers were killed or died from their injuries, and 162 were wounded.

15

OPERATION STORM

4th-7th August 1995

Operation Storm was a large-scale military-police operation in which the Croatian Army and police liberated the occupied areas of the Republic of Croatia under the control of rebel Serbs, where the parastate of the Republic of Serbian Krajina had been established. The operation returned the entire occupied territory to the Croatian constitutional and legal order, except for Eastern Slavonia. However, this and several subsequent victories of the Croatian Army created the conditions in which the process of the peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Podunavlje began in January 1996.

Operation Storm was carried out, along with the Croatian Army forces, by the Joint Forces of the Special Police Units with around 3,100 members under the command of Lieutenant-General Mladen Markač. The operation was conducted on a 670-kilometre-long front and began with a coordinated action by the Croatian Air Force and Croatian artillery against the enemy’s communications system and military targets. After this, Croatian forces launched a breakthrough operation from thirty directions.

On the first day of the operation, special police forces broke through the enemy’s first lines of defence and established control over all key points of Velebit, and their contribution to the overall operation was also important in liberating the enemy’s communications centre at Ćelavac. Upon liberating Mali Alan pass, they found 24 well-fortified bunkers, which clearly spoke of the difficulty of controlling this pass, which overlooks Dalmatia and Lika.

On the second day of the operation, Lovinac, Gračac and Sveti Rok were completely liberated, as well as other places in the Special Police’s area of operation.

On the fourth day of Storm, Donji Lapac and Dobroselo were liberated, and on the fifth day, all areas up to the state border with Bosnia and Herzegovina were under control. In the demanding conditions of warfare on Velebit, special police forces once again confirmed their status as an exceptionally trained and ready force, and during Storm, they covered more than 150 km in a victorious march from Velebit to Lika. During the operation, a total of 6 were killed, 48 were wounded, about 30 were injured, and 2 members of the Joint Forces of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia were reported missing.

Operation Storm, along with Operation Flash, was a key action that led to the end of the Homeland War. The operation liberated 10,400 km2, or 18.4 % of the total area of Croatia.

16

THE BEAUTY OF FALSE GLAMOUR

Exhibition of counterfeit art from the Police Museum’s collection

Welcome to the world of art where truth and illusion intertwine, presenting a challenge for both experts and the uninitiated. The Beauty of False Glamour is not just an exhibition; it is a journey through the complexity and opulence of counterfeit art that takes us from Croatian shores to global metropolises, from modern times to classical masters. Since its inception in 2016, at the initiative of criminalists specialising in the fight against art forgeries, this exhibition has served as a beacon in a sea of deception, educating the public and promoting vigilance in the world of works of art.

The systematic collection of this unique collection began in 2009, when, through the Organised Crime Service of the Criminal Police Directorate, it was successfully arranged with the courts that, after legal proceedings became final, forgeries would not be destroyed but instead allocated to the Police Museum for the purpose of education and research.

Today, the Police Museum holds around 80 impressive forgeries of domestic and international greats such as Ivan Lacković Croata, Boris Bućan, Nikola Reiser, Oscar Herman, Charles Billich, Edo Murtić, Vasko Lipovac, and many others, including attempts to copy the works of world-renowned masters such as Renoir, Picasso, Dalí and Modigliani.

The exhibition is not only a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of counterfeiters but also to the tireless work of those who protect the authenticity and integrity of works of art.

Thanks to the recognition of the Croatian Association of Security Managers in 2019, the exhibition gained additional visibility and confirmation of its importance in promoting partnership and cooperation in achieving security in the field of art.

The exhibition aims to draw attention to the unscrupulousness of the black market, which, in its quest for profit, does not hesitate to defraud well-intentioned but uninformed buyers but also offers an educational approach that will guide potential buyers to modern methods of expert appraisal of suspicious works of art and, with simple advice, teach them how to be cautious when buying.

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THE HISTORY OF THE POLYGRAPH

A European idea – American equipment

The development of science in the 19th and 20th centuries significantly influenced the technique of determining the truth and detecting lies, and everything is based on the simple knowledge that telling a lie causes discomfort and the fear of being discovered.

A polygraph (popularly called a lie detector) is a machine that measures the body’s specific physical reactions that are involuntary and otherwise cannot be noticed. By analysing the data obtained from polygraph testing, the examiner makes a judgment about the subjective truthfulness of the statements made by the person being tested.

A polygraph test is a specific form of informative interview using an instrument under the assumption that the subject is willing to participate in such an interview. It is conducted by a professional and qualified person who, before the test, explains the methods of operation of the device and the testing procedure to the subject.

Research that led to the invention of the polygraph:

1785. C. Lombroso conducted experiments to discover the influence of emotions on the circulation of blood.

1908. H. Münsterberg proposed the use of psychological and technical procedures to determine guilt in court proceedings using devices to record pulse, blood pressure, respiration and electrical skin conductivity.

1921. J. A. Larson, a medical student at the University of California, incorporated various medical devices for measuring respiration, blood pressure and pulse into a compact and portable device that could simultaneously register physiological changes in the body.

1923. J. A. Larson successfully used the polygraph for the first time, identifying one among 90 girls who had been stealing expensive items in the women’s boarding school at the University of California.

1925. L. Keeler, the “father of polygraphy,” constructed the first polygraph in Los Angeles and called it an “emotograph.” He added an important detail to the device: pens that recorded the physiological changes all the time. The Keeler polygraph was first used on 2nd February 1935 on two criminals suspected of an assault in the town of Portage, Wisconsin. They were found guilty based on the results of the polygraph test. The two men are an example of how it is not always good to be first.

18

THE POLYGRAPH IN CROATIA

In April 1959, the first Keeler polygraph was purchased from the USA for the needs of the then Office for Criminal Investigations of the Ministry of the Interior of the People’s Republic of Croatia in Zagreb. This date marks the beginning of polygraph testing in this region.

An interesting fact related to the purchase of the polygraph is that the device was illegally brought to the then Secretariat for Internal Affairs in Zagreb due to the failure to obtain approval from the Federal authorities for the import of such a “Western device.” After the first excellent results, the polygraph was used every day in performing investigative tasks.

The first experiments with the polygraph in the aforementioned institution in Croatia were due to Ivan Babić, a graduate of the Institute of Scientific Police in Lausanne (Switzerland), who was the head of the investigation laboratory at the time. He was the first to use it not only for experimental purposes but also for the needs of investigating a murder and a number of other criminal cases.

As early as November 1959, the first spectacular success in the application of the polygraph in Croatia took place. The polygraph examiner was included in the team for solving the mysterious case of the disappearance of a man from a village near Zagreb. After fourteen days of working with the suspect, based on his reactions to the polygraph, the exact location of the missing man’s body was determined. A special sketch of the land was used for this purpose.

This method was often used later in similar cases. The initial success encouraged the continued use of the polygraph and dispelled suspicions about this psychological aid.

Six years later, in 1965, a polygraph department was created in the Criminal Investigation Department of the Zagreb Police Department. New polygraph examiners began to be trained, and the technique itself was used almost daily in the detection of criminal offences.

In 1965, polygraph examinations became an everyday tool in the detection of perpetrators of criminal offences; polygraph departments were developed, and examination techniques were improved. A huge contribution to the successful application of the polygraph was also made by Dragutin Papeš, Josip Lojna, Stjepan Rajki, Vjekoslav Špehar, Petar Smolčić, and Zvonimir Rosa should be especially noted, for leaving an indelible mark on the development of polygraphy in Croatia.

The development of the polygraph at hat time was spurred on by the Zagreb School of Polygraphy, where the initial experiences were gained, the largest number of people were tested, many criminal offences were uncovered, and its cost-effectiveness and efficiency were proven.

For years, Zagreb was also the centre for specialist training of polygraph personnel in the former Yugoslavia. The first symposium on the application of the polygraph in internal affairs bodies was held there in 1984, and the Croatian Polygraph Association was founded in Zagreb in 1994.

19

HOW A POLYGRAPH WORKS

polygraph (poly-+-graph)

The polygraph is a device that allows the measurement and registration of a large number of physiological functions, such as pulse, blood pressure, body temperature, breathing, etc.

Since emotional arousal causes changes in certain physiological functions that can be registered using a polygraph, this device, called a lie detector, is used in criminalistics to verify the truthfulness of statements made by persons under investigation.

Older polygraph devices look like medium-sized metal suitcases. Portable models weigh about 5 kg and can be easily transported and installed outside a laboratory. They are powered by mains electricity.

On the upper control panel are a device for transporting the registration tape, ink cartridges (on some models, thermosensitive paper allows graphic recording even without ink), pens for recording physiological reactions on the registration tape (polygram), an indicator panel with a manometer, galvanometer, connectors, valves and control devices for adjusting the operation of individual parts. The device is connected to a bulb for compressing air in an arm cuff for measuring pulse and blood pressure, a rubber cuff, a pneumographic bellows for measuring and recording breathing, and a connection with a hand electrode (or bracelet) for measuring and recording the galvanic electrical resistance of the skin.

20

HOW A POLYGRAPH WORKS

The meaning of polygram recordings

The two upper blue lines on the polygram are records of breathing that are measured with two pneumographs, P1 on the abdomen and another marked P2 on the chest. The lines represent inhalations and exhalations.

Below them, the red line CA represents the work of the heart, which is observed in two parameters: changes in blood pressure (rises and falls of the line) and pulse or heartbeats (notches – systole and diastole). During the polygraphic examination, changes in blood pressure, changes in amplitude, and changes in heartbeats are monitored. It is measured with a blood pressure cuff placed on the upper arm.

The green line EA shows electrodermal activity (it has several names: electrodermal activity, psychogalvanic reflex, and skin conductance response). Changes in the electrical conductivity of the skin are monitored. It is measured with electrical contacts placed on the index and ring fingers of the right hand.

The black line PL indicates the work of the plethysmograph. It measures blood flow through the finger. The pulse is synchronised with the heart, and changes in amplitude and frequency are monitored. The sensor is placed on the middle finger of the right hand.Below is a black line SE, which represents a motion sensor. The motion sensors (there are three of them, and this line tallies up all three) are located on the surface of the seat of the chair and on each armrest.

At the bottom, the red line FE is also a motion sensor, separately measuring the pressure of the foot on the sensor. The subject stands on the sensor wearing shoes.

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ZVONIMIR ROSO

Croatian polygraphist and criminologist

Zvonimir Roso graduated from the Faculty of Arts in Zagreb, reading psychology and education. He then took a postgraduate course in psychotherapy at the Faculty of Medicine in Zagreb (Centre for Mental Health) and gained a Master’s degree from the Faculty of Security in Skopje.

He spent his entire working life (1961-1990) in internal affairs bodies: first in the traffic police, then for more than ten years he worked as a polygraph operator in the Zagreb Police Department and was a lecturer in criminal tactics at the Faculty of Criminal Sciences in Zagreb (today the University of Applied Sciences in Criminal Investigation and Public Security).

He conducted about 4,000 polygraph tests.

He is the author of the books Informativni razgovor i intervju (Informative Conversation and Interview) and Poligraf u kriminalistici (Polygraph in Crime Investigation) and a series of scientific papers. Both books are in the Library of Congress in Washington, USA.

The book Poligraf u kriminalistici describes the psychological and physiological foundations of polygraph testing, the symptomatology of the subjects’ behaviour, the conditions for using the polygraph, and the methods of work.

Zvonimir Roso, one of the pioneers of polygraphy in Croatia, was a respected practitioner and one of the few who managed to synthesise his experience and publish the first textbook in this field of science in Southeast Europe.

He is credited with making Zagreb a globally respected polygraph centre. The students he trained continued to build on the foundations he laid, and in 1998, the first Polygraph Examiner Course with international participation was organised at the Police Academy in Zagreb and in 2001, the International Polygraph Examiner Seminar was organised, which, in addition to Croatians, also included polygraph experts from several European countries.

22

IVAN VUČETIĆ

(Hvar, 20th July 1858 – Dolores, Argentina, 25th January 1925)

Ivan Vučetić was born in Hvar in 1858, where he lived and worked until 1884, when he emigrated to Argentina at the age of 26, where, after four years, he joined the Central Police Office in La Plata. As an Argentine citizen, he changed his name to Juan Vucetich.

After he studied Bertion’s identification procedure and the experiments of the Englishman Galton, who dealt with fingerprints, he began to research and study papillary lines intensively. After studying several existing methods of classifying fingerprints and noticing numerous shortcomings, he established his own fingerprint classification system, which he called iconophalangometry.

In 1891, Vučetić formed the Register of Iconophalangometry, in which Julio Torres was listed as number ‘1’, having had his fingerprints taken (dactyloscoped) on what was known as a “fish” (card). This established the first ten-finger collection.

He created the first fingerprint classification system applicable in practice and introduced the ten-finger dactyloscopy and the recording of criminals based on the classification of fingerprints of the left and right hands, as well as special classification marks for each form of papillary line drawing.

He published numerous works related to dactyloscopy, and Vučetić’s fingerprint classification system was adopted in Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, and later throughout South America.

In June 1892, a six-year-old boy, Ponciano Carballo Rojas and his four-year-old sister, Teresa, were murdered in the Argentine city of Necochea. Their mother, Francisca Rojas, had a knife wound to her neck, and she claimed that her former lover, Pedro Velásquez, was responsible for the attack. However, Velásquez denied the charges and had an alibi, so in early July 1892, Inspector Eduardo Alvarez from the La Plata Central Police Department arrived to help the local police. Alvarez noticed a bloody print on the door at the crime scene and asked for Francisca Rojas’ fingerprints to be taken. By comparing hers and the bloody print on the door, Ivan Vučetić discovered that Francisca Rojas was the murderer of her own children and that Pedro Velásquez was innocent. Faced with the evidence, Francisca Rojas confessed to infanticide and was sentenced to life in prison for the terrible crime.

This solved case of double infanticide is recorded in history as the first case of murder solved using fingerprints.

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TRACES AT THE SCENE OF A CRIME

Crime solving begins with investigations at the scene when criminal traces are looked for. Criminal traces are material sources of information that contain informational elements in accordance with the NINE GOLDEN QUESTIONS OF CRIMINOLOGY:

1) WHAT happened?

2) WHEN did it happen?

3) WHERE did it happen?

4) HOW was it done?

5) WITH WHAT was it done?

6) TO WHOM was it done?

7) WHY was it done?

8) WHO is the perpetrator?

9) WHAT / WHO was attacked?

These traces are dealt with by a special branch of criminology and forensics called traceology.

All traces found are first documented, photographed and then carefully collected. The collected traces are analysed, and their characteristics, such as their type, method of creation, identifiable peculiarity, and so on, are determined.

In order for a found trace to become evidence, it is necessary to be processed traceologically in a way that excludes the possibility of substitution, subsequent changes and misuse. This is why all procedures for dealing with traces are prescribed in detail.

Found traces are sent for expert examination to the Ivan Vučetić Forensic Science Centre.

The Ivan Vučetić Centre for Forensic Testing, Research and Expertise is an independent organisational unit of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia, whose basic business process is the conversion of material traces recovered from the scene of a criminal offence into valid material evidence.

It is a unique forensic institution in the Republic of Croatia that performs expert examinations in almost all criminal offences in the territory of the Republic of Croatia. During its seven decades of existence and work, the Centre has grown into a modern institution that today stands shoulder to shoulder with other European and global forensic institutes.

The Centre carries out almost all areas of forensic examination and analysis: dactyloscopic examinations of papillary line prints, biological examinations (DNA), examinations of contact traces from textile fibres, drug examinations, toxicological examinations (drugs and alcohol in blood and urine), chemical-physical examinations, examinations of paints, glass, rubber, examinations of documents and handwriting, examinations of short and long firearms, examinations of mechanical traces of break-ins and burglar’s tools, chemical and physical methods for determining gunshot residue (SEM/EDX), traffic accident examinations, mechanical-technological examinations, and others

A trace is defined as anything left by a person, animal, or thing that could serve either to identify its perpetrator or to establish some individual circumstances.

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JOSIP BELUŠIĆ

(Županići near Labin, 12th March 1847 – Trieste, 8th January 1905)

Josip Belušić was a Croatian scientist/inventor born in 1847 in Labin. He began his education in Pazin and Koper and continued his studies in Vienna. After graduating in 1875, he was employed at the Imperial Teacher Training School in Koper as a professor of physics and mathematics.

His most important life work was the velocimeter. Belušić’s device measured the speed, duration of driving and stopping of vehicles, the number of passengers, and the time of passengers entering and exiting a vehicle.

The velocimeter served as a tachograph and taximeter and used electricity for power. In addition to numerous awards from Vienna and Trieste, Belušić was awarded special recognition as an honorary member and a gold medal by the French Academy of Inventors. Namely, the velocimeter proved to be the most precise and highest quality device in the competition of 120 other devices at the 1889 Paris Exposition.

The peak of his career was in June 1890, when the Paris authorities officially declared the velocimeter the best device. After just one year, more than a hundred velocimeters were installed in Parisian carriages. The original patent for Belušić’s velocimeter is today kept in the State Archives in Vienna.

25

THE WAR PATH OF A SPECIAL POLICE UNIT

THE LIKA-SENJ POLICE ADMINISTRATION “TIGAR”

In the spring of 1991, after multi-party democratic elections in Croatia, the political situation in the Lika region reached a peak. Rebel Serbs set up barricades on roads and railways, interrupting frequent communication lines between the north and south of Croatia. The peak of the rebellion occurred in the Plitvice Lakes National Park, which led to the creation of the only legally possible unit at the time, the Special Police Unit (SPU), which would be the guarantee and security of citizens in this region. This was also necessary due to the composition of the police stations at that time, which consisted of over 70% Serbs, who did not allow Croatian police officers to wear Croatian insignia such as the coat of arms, and all confidential information went to the centre of the rebellion in Knin, where all command posts were occupied by Serbs who were not loyal to the newly elected Croatian government. The difficult political situation and uncertainty were also contributed to by the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA), which had five barracks full of equipment and weapons in Gospić and its surroundings, which it freely distributed to the rebel Serbs.

In the new situation, based on the order of the Minister of the Interior on 1st April, the Special Unit of the Lika-Senj Police Administration was established, which had 220 members deployed in two bases: the Perušić – Wood Industry Enterprise factory base under the command of Miroslav Cindrić and the Sinac – Otočac base under the command of Nikola Pemper. Young police officers who had only been in the Ministry of the Interior for a few months also voluntarily joined the unit. Immediately after its formation, although armed only with long guns with a limited amount of ammunition, their education and training for the upcoming tasks began. All of this led to the increased engagement of the JNA, and in constant contact with the Police Administration, they sought a reduction in the number of special forces or even the abolition of the Special Police Units (SPU), which would leave this part of Lika undefended, and thereby threaten the sovereignty and integrity of the entire country.

1991

Shortly after its formation, the first firefight occurred on 29th June 1991, in the village of Vrebac, during an attempt to free two captured regular police officers and two workers from Elektra Gospić. During the conflict with the rebels, one SPU squad managed to suppress the rebels, but the liberation of the police officers and Elektra workers failed because the JNA joined the conflict. At that time, a member of the SPU, Ivan Grgurić, was seriously wounded. After the first conflict, the war in Lika flared up, and the Unit participated in battles in the areas of Otočac, Gospić, and Lovinac. On 22nd July 1991, the rebel Serbs and the JNA attacked the Croatian village of Barlete, and the Unit participated in the protection and evacuation of the civilian population. In the one-sided and difficult battle, three SPU officers, Josip Kolak, Ante Podnar and Ivan Milković, were seriously wounded. In the fighting in Gospić on 2nd September 1991, the commander of the SPU, Nikola Pemper, was captured and taken to the prison in Gračac, then to the military prison in Željava and finally to the Manjača concentration camp. He was exchanged in the first “all for all” exchange on 10th November of that year. Miroslav Cindrić took over the command of the Otočac – Gospić Unit. After the JNA sided with the rebel Serbs, on the basis of an order to the head of the Police Administration and the commander of the Croatian National Guard (ZNG) on 13th September 1991, the barracks in Gospić and Otočac were placed under siege by the SPU of Rijeka. On 18th September 1991, the barracks were transferred to Croatian control, which created the conditions for the defence of Lika and the liberation of the occupied territories.

In the attack on the barracks in Gospić, police officer Ivica Tonković was seriously wounded, and in Otočac, officer Mario Orešković was killed, while Slavko Dujmović, Ivan Ugarković and Nikola Cvitković were wounded. While the SPU was participating in the attacks on the JNA barracks in Gospić and Otočac, JNA planes were shelling the Velebno Hotel, where the SPU base was located, and on that occasion, officers Željko Dasović and Željko Mataija were seriously wounded. The war continued with the same ferocity in the autumn and winter of 1991, and the Unit participated in all combat operations in the area of the Lika-Senj Police Administration. Unfortunately, Ivan Domazet and Petar Šnjarić were killed, and police officer Ante Delač was captured, spending two and a half months in Chetnik prisons, after which he was exchanged.

1992

In the first half of 1992, the war continued with reduced intensity, and the Unit participated in the defence of the held-onto areas. In August, the Unit, together with the Rijeka SPU and the Kutina SPU, occupied the communication route on Velebit from the village of Rizvanuša to Visočica and Panos. At that point, for the first time, joint special police forces entered Velebit and occupied dominant points, which was one of the crucial tactical moves for the defence of Lika, Northern Dalmatia and the outcome of the whole Homeland War. In an ambush at the foot of Visočica on 29th August 1992, the commander of the Rijeka Special Police Unit, Mario Jakominić, was killed, and SPU officers Milan Vrban, Dane Šop, Milan Majetić and Milan Klobučar were slightly wounded. After occupying the Lika side of Velebit, the Unit continuously held positions on part of the communication route from Rizvanuša to Veliko Guvno, after which it received a new task and went to Western Slavonia – Voćin, where it remained until 23rd December. On Christmas Eve, 24th December 1992, the SPU retook its old positions in Operation Poskok 1 on Velebit, where it remained until 21st April 1993.

1993

Upon returning from Western Slavonia, the Unit held positions on Velebit in difficult weather conditions and constant shelling by rebel forces until 21st April 1993. A few days later, on 25th April 1993, it crossed to the other side of Velebit, where it participated in Operation Poskok 2 and held positions at Opaljenik facing the Chetnik stronghold of Mali Alan. In this operation, on 28th April, Officer Dragan Mandić was killed, and Officer Zdenko Mandić was slightly wounded. During the summer, the Unit participated in Operations Poskok 1 and Poskok 2 and conducted constant reconnaissance and advanced positions in the direction of the enemy, thereby preparing for Operation Medak Pocket. During reconnaissance and advancing their positions in the Divoselo-Vujnovića Brdo area, police officers Milan Asić and Mate Brkljačić were wounded. On 3rd August 1993, during shelling at the SPU base, officer Nikola Dujmović was wounded.

On 9th September, the Unit participated in Operation Medak Pocket and achieved all its objectives, but in the battle, Officer Milan Majetić was killed, while officers Nikola Župan, Luka Pavičić and Ivan Banić were wounded.

After the end of Operation Medak Pocket, the Unit was relocated to its previous positions, where it remained until 25th September 1993. On 29th September 1993, the Unit was sent to the surroundings of Dubrovnik, where it held the border with Montenegro until 7th November of that year. After returning from Dubrovnik on 18th November, it took up positions in Operation Poskok 1, and on 23rd November, it handed them over to members of the Croatian Army. From 30th November to 12th December 1993, it was located in the Velebit – Dušice area, where it participated in Operation Poskok 2.

1994

In 1994, the Unit continuously participated in all operations in the area of the Lika-Senj Police Administration, as well as at the state level, and was most often involved in holding positions on Velebit, operations Poskok 2, and Tuka–Karlovac, preventing the illegal entry of refugees from the Velika Kladuša area into the Republic of Croatia, and the Pastir mission during Pope John Paul II’s visit to the Republic of Croatia.

That year, while constantly holding positions on Velebit in difficult weather conditions and constant dangers, the Unit used all its free time for education and preparation for the liberation of the occupied areas of the Republic of Croatia. On 31st October 1994, Officer Milan Crnjak was killed in an ambush in the village of Čanak.

1995

In the first half of 1995, the Unit continuously participated in Operation Poskok 2 and worked on the reconnaissance of the terrain and determining the exact positions of the enemy. On 4th May 1995, the Unit was sent to Operation Flash with the task of securing communications and clearing the terrain of remaining Chetnik groups. Some of the officers remained on the terrain on Velebit in order to restrain enemy forces. In June 1995, the SPU was sent to the Velebit – Dušice area with the aim of preparing for Operation Storm and the reconnaissance of the routes on which the Unit would operate. During the reconnaissance of the terrain, Officer Stipe Ćaćić was seriously wounded by a mine, and officers Robert Špoljarić and Antonijo Tomić were slightly wounded. On 30th July, the Unit was sent in full force to the Velebit – Dušice area, where it was preparing for offensive operations and the liberation of the occupied areas of the Republic of Croatia.

On 4th August, the Unit was sent on Operation Storm with other Special Police Units from all parts of the Republic of Croatia. On the same day, with heavy fighting, the Unit liberated the town of Sveti Rok ahead of schedule, and the next day, Lovinac, and then broke through the Chetnik stronghold of Medak and liberated the Gospić – Gračac communications route. On 7th August 1995, the Unit, together with other SPUs, carried out offensive operations in the direction of Mazin – Bruvno – Gornji Lapac – Donji Lapac and then broke through at around 1.30 pm across Boričevac to the internationally recognised border of the Republic of Croatia. In Operation Storm, the Unit endured two wounded officers, Miroslav Cindrić and Ivan Šporčić. After the completion of Operation Storm, the Unit participated in searches of the terrain with the task of finding remaining groups of saboteur Chetniks and removing mines and any remaining weapons.

After the end of the Homeland War, the Unit was reorganised and took over tasks from the scope of police work.

THE COMMAND STRUCTURE OF THE SPECIAL POLICE UNIT OF THE LIKA-SENJ POLICE ADMINISTRATION

1991 – 1995

COMMANDERS:

1. Nikola Pemper
2. Miroslav Cindrić

SQUAD COMMANDERS:

1. Ivan Miletić
2. Josip Kučan
3. Ivan Sekula
4. Ivica Jurković
5. Drago Umiljenović

ASSISTANT COMMANDERS:

1. Milan Asić
2. Josip Jurković
3. Ivica Vrban
4. Nikola Župan
5. Boris Orešković

SPECIALIST TRAINING INSTRUCTORS:

1. Saša Špoljarić
2. Tomislav Jurišić
3. Miroslav Miletić
4. Ive Pavelić

LEADERS OF SPECIALIST GROUPS:

1. Ivan Jelinić
2. Željko Dundović
3. Ivan Bešić
4. Nikica Vujanić
5. Milan Klobučar
6. Stipe Kraljić
7. Jurica Horvatović
8. Ivica Luketić
9. Josip Grgurić
10. Slaven Hećimović
11. Nenad Prpić
12. Robert Bulić
13. Robert Špoljarić

TRANSLATED BY MARTIN MAYHEW.