On the second day of the Kosovo Police’s campaign aimed at fostering public trust, an unexpected addition stirred the scene: representatives of Serbian Democracy (SD), led by party leader Aleksandar Arsenijević, took to the streets with a different message. Opposite the Kosovo Police’s promotional stands, they held up a banner allegedly depicting Kosovo Police officers in various poses, some highlighting Albanian national symbols, a move they claim undermines the institution’s commitment to impartiality.
The Kosovo Police had stationed themselves near the main bridge over the Ibar River at the end of the Mitrovica promenade, displaying two large promotional boards and a stand. At least six officers were on hand, part of a campaign focused on reassuring citizens of their reliability and professionalism.
However, standing close to this police setup, Serbian Democracy launched its own counter-campaign, sharply criticizing what they see as a biased and politically charged image within the Kosovo Police force.
Arsenijević, addressing both the officers present and members of the public, emphasized that any effort to build trust should start with internal accountability.
“If the Kosovo Police genuinely aim to win the confidence of citizens, they should begin by addressing misconduct within their ranks,” he said, referring to the individuals featured on the SD banner.
“We’re here, effectively, to show the police how to connect with citizens properly. Not by distributing political pamphlets, which do nothing to erase the memories of our fellow citizens who have suffered at their hands.”
Standing before assembled citizens and media, Arsenijević held up the banner.
“Here, you see national symbols that violate the principle of multi-ethnicity and articles of the Kosovo Constitution,” he declared, emphasizing his party’s position that these symbols send the wrong message in a multi-ethnic society.
Arsenijević acknowledged that there are, indeed, Kosovo Police officers genuinely dedicated to building bridges with the community.
Yet, he argued that trust can never be achieved if some officers continue to post images of a nationalist nature on social media.
“The police should distance themselves from individuals within their ranks who exhibit this kind of behavior. Only then can they sincerely promote their role as a civic, rather than Albanian-nationalist, institution,” he added.
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