Police of North Macedonia

Law enforcement in North Macedonia is the responsibility of the Police of the Republic of North Macedonia ().

The police headquarters are located in Skopje at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and also maintain an air base in nearby Idrizovo. Taiwan, Canada, and Italy have all contributed Bell Helicopter Textron helicopters to the police force's Macedonian Police Aviation Unit in cooperation with the Air Force of North Macedonia to help combat insurgencies the country.Aeroflight page on the Macedonian Police Aviation Unit, retrieved on May 14, 2007

The law enforcement agencies of North Macedonia are regulated by the Constitution of 1991, the Law on Internal Affairs of 1995, the Criminal Procedure Code of 1997 and the Draft Law on Changes and Additions to the Criminal Procedure Code.Legislation Online article retrieved on May 14, 2007 With police actions and behavior controlled by the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Law on Internal Affairs controlling the use of firearms by the police force. On July 1, 2003, the Law on the Police Academy was enacted, creating a police academy to train civil and border police officers.Republic of Macedonia Police Academy website retrieved on May 14, 2007

The force has been the subject of a number of recent reforms regarding both the Albanian insurgency,BBC News article retrieved on May 14, 2007 and possible violations of human rights,Human rights News article retrieved on May 14, 2007Amnesty International article retrieved on May 14, 2007 with NATO officials stating that the force was "not really up to European standards" as policemen lacked in skills and weapons.The Guardian article retrieved on May 14, 2007MACEDONIA Police Violence in Macedonia Human Rights Watch report retrieved on May 14, 2007

History The Police were subject to scrutiny during Albanian riots on 9 July 1997 when protesters collected in the western town of Gostivar. Over 200 were wounded and three killed (two shot, one beaten to death) in a resulting clash with police riot squads, and the Humans Rights Watch investigated allegations of police brutality. These events underlined a continuing friction between the Macedonian Police force and Albanians living in North Macedonia. The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights reported that police abuse of suspects, particularly during initial arrest and detention, and police harassment of ethnic minorities is ongoing.Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2005 (MHC)

The Police of North Macedonia work closely with the NATO peacekeepers in patrolling areas with high numbers of ethnic Albanians ever since the 2001 Macedonia conflict ended, and have been receiving weapons from surrendering Albanian insurgents. Violent attacks, however, still occur as in 2001 three officers were killed by Albanian gunmen.BBC News article retrieved on May 14, 2007

A notable incident was when the Macedonian Police arrested a Horse in 2009 used by a crime smuggling ring to smuggle air conditioners from Serbia. At that time the Police were not sure whether to press charges or not, but ultimately decided to not press charges against the Horse.

On the 2nd of December, 2022, during a routine traffic stop, а driver was asked to show his documents, to which the driver didn't comply and proceeded to call an armed group. Said group proceeded to chase the police officers out of Aračinovo and into the Gazi Baba police station.

Organization Border Police Lake Patrol Police Traffic Police Helicopter unit

Special Police Special Operations Unit - Tigers Rapid Deployment Unit Special Support Unit Unit for First Response and Intervention - Alpha

Former special police unit Lions police tactical unit

Equipment

Vehicles VehiclePhotoOriginUsersUseNotes Light Vehicles Peugeot 408 Regular and Traffic Police Patrolling and Transport This vehicle has been in use since the end of 2025. mvr.gov.mk. Equipped with TETRA Dacia Duster Forest and Border Police Patrolling and Transport Due to a lack of Vehicles, the Police of North Macedonia has begun using Border Police vehicles as regular Police vehicles. Land Rover Defender 110 Regular, Special and Border Police Patrolling, Transport and Surveillance The Border Police uses a modified Land Rover fitted with Cameras designed to monitor certain areas to prevent illegal crossings etc. Škoda Octavia Regular and Traffic Police Patrolling and Transport Dacia Sandero Traffic Police Patrolling and Transport Ten in Service. Škoda Yeti Regular and Traffic Police Patrolling and Transport The vehicle is used by all police offices, stations, departments in North Macedonia and is its most recognizable vehicle. There is another version of the vehicle that is used as a lead vehicle in traffic and escort security (CEO) of VIPs, officials etc. The only difference in appearance are the police lights which appear in blue and red instead of the usual blue.YouTube: "Полициско одделение за сообраќајно и ескортно обезбедување". BMW (E46) Regular and Traffic Police Patrolling and Transport Limited use by certain departments. Volkswagen Transporter Regular and Special Police Patrolling and Transport The vehicle used by the regular police, unlike the original, is fitted with a high roof. This van, without markings and without an upgraded roof, is also used by the special police. In 2014, a project for mobile police stations was promoted in the area of Skopje and this van was chosen to be the main vehicle used in this project.https://republika.mk/273681 Ssangyong Rexton Border Police Patrolling and Transport Due to a lack of Vehicles, the Police of North Macedonia has begun using Border Police vehicles as regular Police vehicles. Dacia Dokker Patrolling and Transport Helicopters Bell 206B-2 Helicopter Unit Patrolling and Transport One in service. Bell AB 212 Helicopter Unit Patrolling and Transport One in service. Bell 412EP Helicopter Unit Patrolling and Transport One in service. Mil Mi-171 Helicopter Unit Patrolling and Transport One in service (other one was slightly damaged in 2020 and was later written off). Mil Mi-17V-5 Helicopter Unit Patrolling and Transport None in service (1 retired and 1 written off in an accident in 2014). Motorcycles Honda ST1300 Pan-European Traffic Police CEO Transport Used by the Department for Vanguard, Traffic and Escort Security (CEO) in its activities, including the escort of VIPs, officials, etc. Sanyang SYM HD2 200i Traffic Police CEO Transport Used by the Department for Vanguard, Traffic and Escort Security (CEO) in its activities, including the escort of VIPs, officials, etc. Piaggio Beverly Traffic Police CEO Transport 120cc version is used. (Macedonian) Armored Vehicles TM-170 Special Police Transport Known as the "Hermelin" (Stoat/Ermine in English). Used by the Special Operations Unit and the Rapid Deployment Unit. BTR-80 Special Police Transport Used by the Special Operations Unit and the Rapid Deployment Unit. Wolf Armoured Vehicle Special Police Transport Used by the Special Operations Unit and the Rapid Deployment Unit. TOMA Special Police Unknown

Former Vehicles VehiclePhotoOriginUsersUseNotes Chrysler Cirrus Regular Police Patrolling and Transport 210 were purchased in 2000 and used into the 2010s, averaging more than traveled each. Lada Niva Regular Police Patrolling and Transport Mercedes-Benz W124 Regular Police Patrolling and Transport Volkswagen Polo Mk3 Regular Police Patrolling and Transport

Dogs BreedPhotoOriginUsersNotes German Shepherd K9 Unit

Small Arms NamePhotoTypeOriginNotes PistolsZastava CZ 99 Pistol 9×19mm Standard issued pistol of the police. Glock17 Pistol 9x19mm Used by the Special Operations Unit. Submachine guns H&K MP5 Submachine gun 9×19mm Used by the Special Operations Unit. Assault Rifles Zastava M70 Assault rifle 7.62×39mm Used for special situations such as armed conflict, but can also be used daily by police station guards. AR-M1 Assault rifle 7.62×39mm and 5.56×45mm Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit. IWI Tavor Bullpup Assault Rifle 5.56×45mm Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit. IWI Tavor X95 Bullpup Assault Rifle 5.56×45mm Used by the Special Operations Unit. Zastava M92 Assault rifle 7.62×39mm Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit. Sniper Rifles Zastava M76 Sniper rifle 7.92×57mm Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit. Zastava M93 Sniper rifle 12.7×108mm Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit. Sako TRG-42 Sniper rifle 12.7×57mm Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit. McMillan TAC-50 Sniper rifle .50 BMG Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit. AI-AXMC Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm, .338 Lapua Magnum and .300 Winchester Magnum Used by the Special Operations Unit. SVD Dragunov Sniper rifle 7.62×54mm Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit. Machine guns PKM Machine gun 7.62×54mm Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit. Zastava M84 Machine gun 7.62×54mm Used by the Rapid Deployment Unit. IWI Negev Machine gun 5.56×45mm Used by the Special Operations Unit.

Gallery

Police of North Macedonia

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