On 27 June 2025, the employees of the Slovenian police celebrated Police Day with a central national ceremony. This year, we symbolically chose as the venue the Slovenian National Theatre Nova Gorica, a location at the intersection of two countries. Namely, one of the main themes of this year's ceremony was to highlight the importance of overcoming various boundaries in the context of international cooperation, which is also crucial for the work of the police.
The keynote speakers that addressed the audience were the Acting Director General of the Police Damjan Petrič and the Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar.
In his speech, the Acting Director General of the Police Damjan Petrič pointed out the special significance of 27 June for the Slovenian police. It is an opportunity to thank all the veterans and members of the Sever Association of Police Veteran Societies who played a decisive role in the War for Slovenia and who today help preserve the memory of those events. "But in a good three decades, the work of the police has changed," he continued. "Today, we face challenges that were unknown decades ago: cybercrime, hybrid threats, radicalisation, the dark web, artificial intelligence, online threats, fake news, and the list goes on. These are all new security threats and we are learning to deal with them as we go along. However, our core mission essentially remains the same—to protect individuals and communities. Because despite the new security issues, the 'usual' ones have not gone away. These are all problems that citizens face on a daily basis and which have the most direct impact on their lives. And, consequently, on the nature of our work."
As he put it, police work is extremely responsible, as it involves numerous legal and professional requirements, unpredictable circumstances and dangerous situations, while the police officers are constantly under scrutiny of the public and the media. "Dear colleagues, I know your efforts often go unnoticed and underappreciated. As does the fact that due to staff shortages, you do twice, sometimes three times the work, often without any real chance to rest and recharge. /.../ I am aware of the expectations of the public on the one hand and the expectations of the employees on the other. That is why I will strive for a police force that is based on professionalism, legality, and openness; that cooperates with people, municipalities, experts, and the media; that provides the security people expect—and deserve; and that cares for you, its employees, by providing a respectful, collegial environment and fair career and personal development opportunities. In doing so, I also hope for the support of both trade unions—I would like to see our cooperation further enhanced and, together, build the status that our profession deserves," emphasized Petrič, congratulating employees on Slovenian Police Day.
"This year, we are symbolically celebrating Slovenian Police Day in Nova Gorica, in the Primorska region, where the war of independence started the day before," said Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar in his address, recalling that Nova Gorica, Primorska and the entire Slovenia rose up against the Yugoslav army, with militiamen and territorial defence forces taking up arms on the barricades to defend the new country—Slovenia—and fought for the border crossings here.
Like PetriÄŤ, Minister Poklukar also highlighted new forms of security risks that require changes in the broader understanding of security, but assured that the ministry and the police are rapidly adapting to the new security reality: "We have begun to further strengthen our internal security system, connect it and increase its resilience." He identified the recruitment of new police officers as the biggest challenge faced by the Slovenian police. Finally, he thanked the entire leadership of the Slovenian police at the local, regional, and national levels, congratulated all police officers, and thanked them for their courageous and professional work.
The highest police honours were also awarded at the ceremony. The Great Police Shield with a Silver Star was awarded to Jože Senica, now Assistant Director General of the Police. The Great Police Shield with a Gold star was awarded to Ludvik Gomboc in recognition of his life's work. He recently retired after a career spanning almost 40 years in the police force, during which he distinguished himself in various roles, including as head of the Vrhnika, Ljubljana Šiška, and Ljubljana Center police stations.
Hosting the event in the beautiful setting of the Slovenian National Theatre contributed to the broader cultural scene in Nova Gorica, which, together with Gorizia in Italy, boasts the prestigious title of this year's European Capital of Culture. The event was perfectly hosted by actors Ajda Smrekar and BlaĹľ Dolenc.
The main stage of the Slovenian National Theatre was used for the theatrical introduction to the cultural part of the ceremony. A comic intermezzo by two actors from the Primorska region, Jakob Šfiligoj and Borut Petrović of Zavod Scaramouche drama group, took the audience back in time and recalled some of the adventures of former police officers in this border area.
The police orchestra, conducted by Nejc Bečan, performed several hits together with renowned soloists Anika Horvat, Tiln Lotrič, and Tijana Borić-Tish.
A top-notch group of dancers, choreographed by Miha Krušič, took the audience through a series of dance numbers, one of which even featured members of the Riot Police Unit.
In the margins of the ceremony, we presented our work and profession to the public, and also demonstrated its more dynamic, action-packed side with an attractive display exercise. Namely, the Special Unit and the Air Support Unit showed what a police “special forces” landing looks like, with the arrest of armed criminals.
In the morning, the square between the Slovenian National Theatre and the France Bevk Library in Nova Gorica hosted a presentation of some of the most attractive aspects of police work, including equipment, devices, vehicles, and police animals. We explained the conditions for employment and training in the police force to the many people who asked us how to become a police officer and warmly invited them to join us.
Two colleagues from the Italian police also took part, bringing their vehicle with them.
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