20th anniversary of the CAF Military Police

The ceremony was attended by President of the Republic of Croatia and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Ivo Josipovic, the envoy of the Prime Minister – Minister of Family, Veterans and Intergenerational Solidarity Tomislav Ivic, representative of the Minister of Defence – Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Lovric, current and former members and commanders of the military police, as well as many other senior military and civilian officials, representatives of veterans’ associations, military attaches accredited in the Republic of Croatia and other dignitaries.

On this occasion, the 11 components of the wartime Military Police organization lined-up, which were then inspected by President Josipovic accompanied by the first commander of military police, retired Lieutenant General Mate Lausic.

President Josipovic congratulated members of the Military Police on many years of successful work, professionalism and dedication to complete tasks. “Respect and reverence, pride and dignity, and duty and responsibility, are words with which it is possible to summarize all that we all together feel for you, for all veterans, especially those who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of our Homeland”. He congratulated them for everything they were doing today in peacetime and on contribution they make to the development of the CAF and in the application of law and respect for the rule of law. The President expressed belief that the Military Police was the organization that every day was able to evaluate its work and do it better every day.
President Josipovic also awarded with the Order of Nikola Subic Zrinski all wartime Military Police units for their outstanding contribution to freedom and democracy.

“Members of the Military Police during the Homeland War have shown the strength, knowledge, courage and professionalism and were one of the foundations on which Croatian freedom and democracy were established – the envoy of the Prime Minister, Minister Ivic said. He recalled the Croatian soldiers who gave their lives for Homeland, and whose sacrifice should not be forgotten. He thanked the Military Police for everything they did during the war as well as in peacetime.
On behalf of the Minister of Defence and his personal congratulations for the successful work of Military Police were expressed by the Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Lovric. He recalled the beginning of the formation of the Military Police, their involvement in the war and their role in the defence system. “Military police adjusted its organization, duties, training and education to the needs of the defence system. Demonstrating an exceptional ability to adapt, acquire new knowledge, skills and tasks, members of the Military Police have proven themselves in Croatia, but also in international activities”, General Lovric said.

The present were also addressed by the Chief of the Military Police, Colonel Tihomir Zebec emphasizing that the emergence of military police was connected to the beginning of the war and the creation of the sovereign and independent Republic of Croatia. Its members participated in all wartime operations. Until now, through the active, reserve and military composition of the military police passed 800 members – Colonel Zebec said. Military Police have adjusted to peacetime and today is recognized as an organized, equipped and professional component of the CAF. MP is a relevant partner to judicial bodies and the Interior Ministry. Because of their professionalism and expertise it is recognized and respected in the international community. It is enough to say that it was military police officers who were the first sent to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. Colonel Zebec said that we need to preserve the trust that Military Police acquired and continue to work professionally in accordance with its code of ethics and develop our skills.
“I’m proud of you, and you be proud of your past and have faith in your future”, President of the Organisation and Executive Committee of the 20^th anniversary of the establishment of Military Police and the first commander, retired Lieutenant General Mate Lausic said and thanked for the support in organizing the ceremony.

Equipment and weapons used by Military Police and its superior capability through several situational exercises were presented as well.