Belgrade Lacks Legal Basis for Private Security Partnerships, Says Expert

Nikola Jovanović, director of the Center for Local Self-Government (CLS), asserted that Belgrade currently lacks the legal foundation to engage private companies in public security matters. He stated that any discussion of a public-private partnership for security requires a prior amendment to the Law on the Capital City, which would need to restore Belgrade's authority over public safety and crime suppression.

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If we want to talk about partnership with some firm, we must first change the Law on the Capital City and return Belgrade's authority over public safety and crime suppression.

Jovanović highlighted that the proposed public-private partnership, scheduled for a council vote, would cost 696 million euros over the next decade. He acknowledged that such partnerships exist in some European cities, but typically involve information-focused firms managing video surveillance and alerting authorities, rather than direct security operations.

As a former city councilor, Jovanović recalled advocating for regular discussions on Belgrade's security, proposing a joint working group with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and requiring regular reports from the minister and police director to the city assembly. He previously suggested forming a city police force, modeled after London's Metropolitan Police.

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In some European cities, it functions... but these are mostly information firms, where video surveillance is created, where the situation in the city is monitored... and then the city police or state police are alerted.

Jovanović emphasized the need for a broad public debate on whether the city requires its own police force or a partnership with a private company. He raised concerns about the tendering process for a private partner, fearing the worst-case scenario: a partnership with a "thug firm," as he put it.

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Will there be an international tender for that private partner, or will the worst variant happen, which is that the city will partner with a firm that I call a 'thug firm'?

He specifically voiced apprehension about a private partner potentially patrolling Belgrade's streets without legal authorization. Jovanović mentioned that the CLS has information suggesting the firm T&M Group could be involved, a company they have documented in their "White Book of Corruption in Belgrade" for alleged citizen harassment and involvement in securing an illegal tent settlement. Jovanović questioned the firm's accountability, who issues their orders, and the necessity of state police if such a private entity operates.

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We do not know who this firm answers to. We do not know who issues them orders, and we do not know what the state police is for us.