The annual ceremony was held at the Academy of Music in Zagreb, where Police Day and the feast of Saint Michael, the patron saint of the police, were celebrated. The event provided an opportunity to present awards to police officers who, through their work, had made a special contribution to the safety of citizens.
Among those honoured were eleven officers from the Istria Police Department. The awards were presented by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Dr Davor Božinović, and the Chief Director of Police, Nikola Milina. The annual prize for the team was awarded to the team from the Istria Police Department, which had dismantled a criminal group in the area of Poreč.
The award for exceptional dedication and perseverance in conducting a complex investigation, which resulted in the filing of multiple criminal complaints, was awarded to Nikolina Kuvačić, Vatroslav Brizić, Irena Vitez, Igor Rušnjak, Tomislav Dorčić, Natalija Bertović Šverko, Lorena Blažević Cibralić, Tomislav Balaska, and Leo Sokolović. The investigation required continuous and dedicated work, detailed data collection, and coordination between different police services.
Special recognition was also given to two officers of the maritime police, who, in the course of their duties, responded promptly to a situation in which the health of an elderly couple was in danger at sea. The officers, Mario Vuksanović and Dalibor Đurić, assisted the exhausted individuals, who were being swept away by the sea currents, by bringing them to land.
The Chief Director of Police, Nikola Milina, stated that the profession of a police officer requires knowledge, responsibility, professionalism, and a willingness to make personal sacrifices. "Behind every seizure, every resolved case, and every successfully conducted investigation, there is a police officer or a team of officers working diligently and together," said Milina.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Dr Davor Božinović, thanked all members of the Croatian police for their daily work and contribution to the safety of citizens. "In the most difficult moments, the state is not seen through regulations, procedures, or institutions. The state, in those moments, has the face of a police officer," Božinović stated. He added: "When others see danger, it is natural to move away from it. A police officer, however, must move towards it. When others can leave, a police officer often must stay. When the situation becomes unpredictable, it is expected that they remain calm. This is the nature of your profession."
On the occasion of Police Day and the feast of Saint Michael, the mayors of the municipalities of Zmijavci and Podbablje presented awards to five officers of the Imotski Border Police. The officers were presented with awards for their work, dedication, and contribution to the local community. The mayor of the municipality of Zmijavci, Mijo Šuto, presented certificates of appreciation to police officers Ante Mrkonja, Ante Kasal, Bruno Štrljić, and Tomislav Ćorić. The mayor of the municipality of Podbablje, Ivan Karan, also attended the ceremony, having presented a certificate of appreciation to police officer Luka Patrlj for his contribution to work during 2026 and the achieved results in combating crime and maintaining security in the area. The split-dalmatian police department stated that the awards were a recognition of the daily work and effort, as well as a confirmation of the good cooperation between the police and the local community.
