Police of North Macedonia

Law enforcement agency

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Law enforcement agency

Police of North Macedonia
Полиција на Северна Македонија (Macedonian)

Agency overview
Formed| 1992
Jurisdictional structure
National agency| North Macedonia
Operations jurisdiction| North Macedonia
Primary governing body| Government of North Macedonia
Secondary governing body| Ministry of Internal Affairs
General nature|

* Civilian police

Operational structure
Headquarters| Skopje
Minister responsible|

* Pancho Toshkovski, Ministry of Internal Affairs

Agency executive|

* Magdalena Nestorovska, State Secretary of the MIA

Parent agency| Government of North Macedonia
Child agency|

* ANB

Facilities
Stations| Skopje, Kumanovo, Shtip, Strumica, Bitola, Ohrid, and Tetovo
Light vehicles| Chevrolet Spark 100[1]
Scoters| Sym HD2 200i,
Piaggio Beverly 125[2]
Helicopters| agusta AB206B-2 (1), agusta ab212 (1), bell 412ep (1), mil Mi-171 (1), mil Mi-17V-5 (1)
Dogs| German Shepherd
Notables
Anniversary|

* May 7th

Award|

* Constantinus 2013 Silver Medal[3]

Website
www.mvr.gov.mk

Law enforcement in North Macedonia is the responsibility of the Police of the Republic of North Macedonia (Macedonian: Полиција на Република Северна Македонија, romanized: Policija na Republika Severna Makedonija).[4]

The police headquarters are located in Skopje at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and also maintain an air base in nearby Idrizovo. Taiwan, Canada, and Italy have all contributed Bell Helicopter Textron helicopters to the police force's Macedonian Police Aviation Unit in cooperation with the Air Force of North Macedonia to help combat insurgencies the country.[5]

The law enforcement agencies of North Macedonia are regulated by the Constitution of 1991, the Law on Internal Affairs of 1995, the Criminal Procedure Code of 1997 and the Draft Law on Changes and Additions to the Criminal Procedure Code.[6] With police actions and behavior controlled by the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Law on Internal Affairs controlling the use of firearms by the police force. On July 1, 2003, the Law on the Police Academy was enacted, creating a police academy to train civil and border police officers.[7]

The force has been the subject of a number of recent reforms regarding both the Albanian insurgency,[8] and possible violations of human rights,[9][10] with NATO officials stating that the force was "not really up to European standards" as policemen lacked in skills and weapons.[11][12]

## History

[edit]

The Police were subject to scrutiny during Albanian riots on 9 July 1997 when protesters collected in the western town of Gostivar. Over 200 were wounded and three killed (two shot, one beaten to death)[12] in a resulting clash with police riot squads, and the Humans Rights Watch investigated allegations of police brutality.[12] These events underlined a continuing friction between the Macedonian Police force and Albanians living in North Macedonia.[12] The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights reported that police abuse of suspects, particularly during initial arrest and detention, and police harassment of ethnic minorities is ongoing.[13]

The Police of North Macedonia work closely with the NATO peacekeepers in patrolling areas with high numbers of ethnic Albanians ever since the 2001 Macedonia conflict ended, and have been receiving weapons from surrendering Albanian insurgents.[8] Violent attacks, however, still occur as in 2001 three officers were killed by Albanian gunmen.[14]

A notable incident was when the Macedonian Police arrested a Horse in 2009 used by a crime smuggling ring to smuggle air conditioners from Serbia. At that time the Police were not sure whether to press charges or not, but ultimately decided to not press charges against the Horse.[15]

On the 2nd of December, 2022, during a routine traffic stop, а driver was asked to show his documents, to which the driver didn't comply and proceeded to call an armed group. Said group proceeded to chase the police officers out of Aračinovo and into the Gazi Baba police station.[16][17][18]

## Organization

[edit]

* Border Police
* Lake Patrol Police
* Traffic Police
* Helicopter unit

### Special Police

[edit]

* Special Operations Unit - Tigers
* Rapid Deployment Unit
* Special Support Unit
* Unit for First Response and Intervention - Alpha

#### Former special police unit

[edit]

* Lions police tactical unit

## Equipment

[edit]

### Vehicles

[edit]

Vehicle  | Photo  | Origin  | Users  | Use  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|

Light Vehicles
Chevrolet Spark |  |  South Korea | Regular and Traffic Police | Patrolling and Transport | [1]
Dacia Duster |  |  Romania | Forest and Border Police | Patrolling and Transport | Due to a lack of Vehicles, the Police of North Macedonia has begun using Border Police vehicles as regular Police vehicles.
Land Rover Defender 110 |  |  United Kingdom | Regular, Special and Border Police | Patrolling, Transport and Surveillance | The Border Police uses a modified Land Rover fitted with Cameras designed to monitor certain areas to prevent illegal crossings etc.
Škoda Octavia |  |  Czech Republic | Regular and Traffic Police | Patrolling and Transport |
Dacia Sandero |  |  Romania | Traffic Police[19] | Patrolling and Transport | Ten in Service.
Škoda Yeti |  |  Czech Republic | Regular and Traffic Police | Patrolling and Transport | The vehicle is used by all police offices, stations, departments in North Macedonia and is its most recognizable vehicle. There is another version of the vehicle that is used as a lead vehicle in traffic and escort security (CEO) of VIPs, officials etc. The only difference in appearance are the police lights which appear in blue and red instead of the usual blue.[20]
BMW (E46) |  |  Germany | Regular and Traffic Police | Patrolling and Transport | Limited use by certain departments.[21]
Volkswagen Transporter |  |  Germany | Regular and Special Police | Patrolling and Transport | The vehicle used by the regular police, unlike the original, is fitted with a high roof. This van, without markings and without an upgraded roof, is also used by the special police. In 2014, a project for mobile police stations was promoted in the area of Skopje and this van was chosen to be the main vehicle used in this project.[22]
Ssangyong Rexton |  |  South Korea | Border Police | Patrolling and Transport | Due to a lack of Vehicles, the Police of North Macedonia has begun using Border Police vehicles as regular Police vehicles.
Dacia Dokker |  |  Romania
France | Patrolling and Transport |
Helicopters
Bell 206B-2 |  |  United States
Canada | Helicopter Unit | Patrolling and Transport | One in service.
Bell AB 212 |  |  United States
Canada | Helicopter Unit | Patrolling and Transport | One in service.
Bell 412EP |  |  United States
Canada | Helicopter Unit | Patrolling and Transport | One in service.
Mil Mi-171 |  |  Soviet Union
Russia | Helicopter Unit | Patrolling and Transport | One in service (other one was slightly damaged in 2020 and was later written off).
Mil Mi-17V-5 |  |  Soviet Union
Russia | Helicopter Unit | Patrolling and Transport | None in service (1 retired and 1 written off in an accident in 2014).
Motorcycles
Honda ST1300 Pan-European |  |  Japan | Traffic Police | CEO Transport | Used by the Department for Vanguard, Traffic and Escort Security (CEO) in its activities, including the escort of VIPs, officials, etc.[20]
Sanyang SYM HD2 200i |  |  Taiwan | Traffic Police | CEO Transport | Used by the Department for Vanguard, Traffic and Escort Security (CEO) in its activities, including the escort of VIPs, officials, etc.[20]
Piaggio Beverly |  |  Italy | Traffic Police | CEO Transport | 120cc version is used.[2]
Armored Vehicles
TM-170 |  |  Germany | Special Police | Transport | Known as the "Hermelin" (Stoat/Ermine in English). Used by the Special Operations Unit and the Rapid Deployment Unit.
BTR-80 |  |  Soviet Union
Russia | Special Police | Transport | Used by the Special Operations Unit and the Rapid Deployment Unit.
Wolf Armoured Vehicle |  |  Israel | Special Police | Transport | Used by the Special Operations Unit and the Rapid Deployment Unit.
TOMA |  |  Turkey | Special Police | Unknown |

### Former Vehicles

[edit]

Vehicle  | Photo  | Origin  | Users  | Use  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|

Chrysler Cirrus |  |  United States | Regular Police | Patrolling and Transport | 210 were purchased in 2000 and used into the 2010s, averaging more than 500,000 kilometres (310,000 mi) traveled each.[23][24][25][26]
Jeep Cherokee |  |  United States | Regular Police | Patrolling and Transport |
Mercedes-Benz W124 |  |  Germany | Regular Police | Patrolling and Transport |
Volkswagen Polo Mk3 |  |  Germany | Regular Police | Patrolling and Transport |

### Dogs

[edit]

Breed  | Photo  | Origin  | Users  | Notes

|
|
|
|

German Shepherd |  |  Germany | K9 Unit |

### Small Arms

[edit]

Name  | Photo  | Type  | Origin  | Notes

|
|
|
|

Pistols
Zastava CZ 99 |  | Pistol |  Yugoslavia
Serbia | 9×19mm

Standard issued pistol of the police.

Glock17 |  | Pistol |  Austria | 9x19mm

Used by the Special Operations Unit.

Submachine guns
H&K MP5 |  | Submachine gun |  Germany | 9×19mm

Used by the Special Operations Unit.

Assault Rifles
Zastava M70 |  | Assault rifle |  Yugoslavia
North Macedonia
Serbia | 7.62×39mm

Used for special situations such as armed conflict, but can also be used daily by police station guards.

AR-M1 |  | Assault rifle |  Bulgaria | 7.62×39mm and 5.56×45mm

Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit.

IWI Tavor |  | Bullpup Assault Rifle |  Israel | 5.56×45mm

Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit.

IWI Tavor X95 |  | Bullpup Assault Rifle |  Israel | 5.56×45mm

Used by the Special Operations Unit.

Zastava M92 |  | Assault rifle |  Yugoslavia
Serbia | 7.62×39mm

Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit.

Sniper Rifles
Zastava M76 |  | Sniper rifle |  Yugoslavia
Serbia | 7.92×57mm

Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit.

Zastava M93 |  | Sniper rifle |  Serbia | 12.7×108mm

Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit.

Sako TRG-42 |  | Sniper rifle |  Finland | 12.7×57mm

Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit.

McMillan TAC-50 |  | Sniper rifle |  United States | .50 BMG

Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit.

AI-AXMC |  | Sniper rifle |  United Kingdom | 7.62×51mm, .338 Lapua Magnum and .300 Winchester Magnum

Used by the Special Operations Unit.

SVD Dragunov |  | Sniper rifle |  Soviet Union
Russia | 7.62×54mm

Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit.

Machine guns
PKM |  | Machine gun |  Soviet Union
Russia | 7.62×54mm

Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit.

Zastava M84 |  | Machine gun |  Yugoslavia
Serbia | 7.62×54mm

Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit.

IWI Negev |  | Machine gun |  Israel | 5.56×45mm

Used by the Special Operations Unit.

## Gallery

[edit]

* Pre-2019 licence plates of the Macedonian Police

* License plate on the front of Macedonian Police vehicles

* License plate on the back of Macedonian Police vehicles

* Police in v. Radusha in 2001

* Special units Tigers and Lions in 2001

* Pre-2019 Coat of arms of the Macedonian Police

## See also

[edit]

* North Macedonia portal

* Intelligence Agency Domestic intelligence agency
* Administration for Security and Counterintelligence Foreign intelligence agency

Military Service for Security and Intelligence-G2 Military intelligence agency

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Промовирани новите полициски возила (галерија)". Archived from the original on 2013-09-30. Retrieved 2015-04-29. (Macedonian)
2. ^ a b "Македонската полиција доби нови скутери Sym HD2 200i". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-04-29. (Macedonian)
3. ^ "ÜDVÖZÖLJÜK HONLAPUNKON".
4. ^ "МВР го промени името: Полиција на Република Северна Македонија".
5. ^ Aeroflight page Archived 2007-01-19 at the Wayback Machine on the Macedonian Police Aviation Unit, retrieved on May 14, 2007
6. ^ Legislation Online article Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine retrieved on May 14, 2007
7. ^ Republic of Macedonia Police Academy website Archived 2007-05-14 at the Wayback Machine retrieved on May 14, 2007
8. ^ a b BBC News article retrieved on May 14, 2007
9. ^ Human rights News article retrieved on May 14, 2007
10. ^ Amnesty International article retrieved on May 14, 2007
11. ^ The Guardian article retrieved on May 14, 2007
12. ^ a b c d MACEDONIA Police Violence in Macedonia Human Rights Watch report retrieved on May 14, 2007
13. ^ Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2005 (MHC) Archived 2007-03-11 at the Wayback Machine
14. ^ BBC News article retrieved on May 14, 2007
15. ^ Insight, Balkan (12 January 2009). "Macedonia Police Arrests Smuggling Horse".
16. ^ "Armed group in Arachinovo chased away the police because they stopped a person who was driving a vehicle without valid documents?!". Archived from the original on 2022-12-29. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
17. ^ "Стоилковски: Тежок скандал - Криминалци избркале полицајци од полициска станица во Арачиново".
18. ^ "Стоилковски: Тежок скандал- Криминалци избркале полицајци од полициска станица во Арачиново, Спасовски оставка веднаш".
19. ^ "Предадени 10 возила за потребите на сообраќајната полиција од страна на РСБСП". 2022.
20. ^ a b c YouTube: "Полициско одделение за сообраќајно и ескортно обезбедување".
21. ^ press, gostivar (3 July 2022). "Лудувал со автомобил на улица во Гостивар, завршил во полиција". gostivarpress.mk.
22. ^ https://republika.mk/273681[permanent dead link]
23. ^ "Picture". 2001. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
24. ^ "Macedonia's Trademark Police Cars Drive into History". 30 August 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-11-07.
25. ^ "Archived copy". fh1w93s8iw-flywheel.netdna-ssl.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2022.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
26. ^ Brendan Saur (February 6, 2019). "Curbside Classic: 1999 Chrysler Cirrus LXi – Remember when Chrysler Showed Hope?". Curbside Classics. Archived from the original on 2019-02-08.

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North Macedonia articles

History|

| Ancient|

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|

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