The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network released an investigation this week telling the story of Bosko Sekerovic, who was beaten in front of a bar by 15 Novi Sad bouncers – one of whom was alleged to be a police officer.
Serbian policemen often work as private security guards for bars and nightclubs around Serbia. Though a 2005 Law on Police states officers are not to engage in any activity “incompatible” with their official duties, it is unclear if this applies to private security work. As a result, BIRN claims, a major problem in Serbia and other Balkan states is that of police officers engaging in acts of violence while working as bouncers.
A mid-ranking police official in Novi Sad said there was at least one serious fight a month involving off-duty policemen. A former officer claimed that officers sometimes made initial contact with bar owners as part of their official duties, and then threatened them with raids if they did not employ fellow officers.
