Goal
Since the transparency of police work is one of the fundamental principles of a democratic society, the police have an obligation and in some cases need to urgently inform the public about the events of public interest, which at a given moment affect the overall security situation. Bearing in mind the above but also the nature of the tasks within the competence of the State Investigation and Protection Agency, the SIPA Management together with the Spokesperson seeks to determine on a daily basis what information should go public in order not to jeopardise the activities carried out by the inspectors in the field.
The basis of good communication is continuous informing of general public about regular activities, completed operations as well as other interesting points related to SIPA’s operation. Such communication is a foundation of good relations with citizens and partnership with local community, to which SIPA gives a special attention.
Finally, public confidence in the SIPA and police generally will depend on citizens’ perception of activities of the police to protect their interests. Good cooperation with the public requires planning in the field of communication that goes in two directions: quality internal communication and effective external communication.
Accordingly, SIPA seeks to proactively inform the public of all significant developments related to its operation. Our goal is to provide timely, accurate, objective and professional information to the public about the security situation, operational activities and other activities of SIPA in order to avoid placing disinformation to the public and to initiate a proactive and cooperative communication that will increase transparency and accountability of the Agency’s operation, as well as to promote the Agency’s work results and thus increase the citizens’ sense of security and create a safer environment for all citizens.
The SIPA public relations are regulated by the Law on Freedom of Access to Information and SIPA Instructions of Standard Operating Procedures for Implementing Public Relations. According to this Instruction, Director and Spokesperson of the Agency are in charge of public relations.
The SIPA Acting Spokesperson, Inspector Jelena Miovčić is responsible for contacts with media and all media enquiries about work, operational activities and events related to the SIPA’s operation, as well as for citizens' questions and processing of requests in accordance with the Law on Freedom of Access to Information.
For media
The State Investigation and Protection Agency informs citizens and media about its activities through press releases, organising press conferences and giving individual statements. Press releases are distributed by e-mail to all media representatives included in our distribution list. The SIPA distribution list includes over 250 domestic and foreign contacts. If you wish to be included in our distribution list, please send your request to e-mail portparol@sipa.gov.ba.
Press releases will be also published on the SIPA web site www.sipa.gov.ba and Facebook profile “SIPA-Policija”.
The Spokesperson, in coordination with colleagues working on investigations, will endeavour to respond to all media enquiries about the Agency’s work, in writing or by audio or video statement, within the shortest possible time.
Public Relations Group and Spokesperson also organises interviews and media announcements as well as participation of the SIPA officials in radio and TV programmes. Spokesperson is also available after normal working hours for the duration of the SIPA operations and in case of extraordinary events within the competence of SIPA.