ACTIVITIES OF THE POLICE DURING THE FLOODS IN GORENJSKA

Abstract

The police force, a body under the authority of the Minister of the Interior (MI), is an important part of the entire system organised to protect against natural and other disasters. The aim of this system is to reduce the number of disasters and prevent or reduce the number of casualties and other consequences of such disasters. So in addition to its basic tasks as defined by Article 3 of the Police Act, the police force performs tasks of protection, relief and assistance during disasters pursuant to the Protection Against Natural and Other Disasters Act. Such tasks were also performed during the natural disaster of flooding in Gorenjska in September 2007. Adequate preparation for such disasters enabled the successful and effective fulfilment of planned tasks by the MI and police during these floods, with emphasis on measures to prevent or reduce the number of casualties and other consequences. By presenting this activity I shall attempt to shed light on the role of the police in this system, and especially its tasks and competence in relation to other forces for protection, relief and assistance.