Implementation of the Duties and Powers of the National Preventive Mechanism in 2012
Complaint procedures
The complaint procedures of police stations vary. Almost all police stations keep a book of
comments and complaints and the majority of police stations also keep letter boxes available
to detained person to anonymously submit their comments or complaints. This may also
be used by foreign nationals who are not especially informed on Slovenian regulations and
options to make complaints regarding the work of officials (under the assumption that a
letter box is adequately marked in a foreign language). It is noteworthy that PS Podlehnik
had placed a box for anonymous complaints in a corridor in front of the duty policeman’s
office as recommended by the NPM upon the previous visit. During the visit to PS Žalec, the
comments and complaints book was not in its position (a wooden shelf in the corridor, in front
of the duty police officer’s teller window) to be available for clients willing to write down their
opinions, but instead, it was in the duty police officer’s office. In front of the entrance into
the PS Žalec, there is a letter box which is intended for letters of comments and complaints,
according to the assistant commander’s explanation. However, from looking at the letter
box, it was not possible to guess that it was actually intended for such a purpose, which is
why the NPM proposed that the letter box be marked appropriately. It was also reported in
the Ministry of the Interior’s response report, that the NPM’s proposal had been taken into
consideration and a suitable inscription was put on the box. The NPM recommended the
BPS Bistrica of Sotli to place its comments and complaints book in the office of a duty officer
or an officer in charge of the shift where it would be more easily accessible than if located in
the office of an administrator. In its response report, the Ministry of the Interior notified the
NPM that the comments and complaints book had already been placed in the office of an
officer in charge of the shift. The Ministry of the Interior similarly reported about the case of
PS Kozina, specifically, that the comments and complaints book had been placed in a visible
position, behind the glass window of a room where the duty police officer is located, so that
it is visible to all clients. When a client wishes to register a note in the book, police officers
make that possible.
Access to police stations for the disabled and parking places for clients, including the
disabled
Several police stations have suitable and organized access for the disabled (a lift for the
disabled or at least a bell which enables a disabled person to warn a duty police officer of
his/her arrival) and toilets for the disabled which makes it possible for the police station to
also detain persons with disabilities. It was only in PS Šentjur pri Celju where access for the
disabled was not provided for which is why it was proposed by the NPM that the possibility
of at least installing a bell be considered.
National Preventive Mechanism in the Republic of Slovenia under the Optional Protocol to
the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
51
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