The deputy director general of police is obviously joking.

A Slovenian parliament member from the Social Democracy Party (SDS) has raised concerns over the appointment of Beno Meglič as deputy head of the police, citing potential issues with his past conduct while serving as director of the Police Authority Maribor (PU Maribor). The parliamentary inquiry centers around whether current acting head of the police, who was appointed as deputy general director in March 2026, is aware of internal investigations into Meglič’s tenure at PU Maribor, including allegations of misconduct and possible violations of regulations regarding the use of official vehicles. The inquiry follows a question posed by the parliament member, Kosi, who highlighted specific incidents during Meglič's time as director of PU Maribor. According to Kosi, there was an increase in criminal offenses within the jurisdiction of the authority, alongside a decrease in their investigation rates. Additionally, media reports suggested various alleged irregularities within PU Maribor during this period. Notably, on December 8, 2023, Meglič was involved in a traffic accident with an official vehicle. Reports indicated that the driver had informed the police of the incident, yet the police patrol was allegedly redirected away from the scene by Meglič himself. Internal security procedures reportedly uncovered certain violations or breaches of duty, leading to warnings issued to officers regarding proper conduct upon receiving information about the accident. It was further noted that Meglič failed to comply with regulations governing the use and maintenance of official vehicles, which require the immediate reporting of accidents involving such vehicles to superiors. The parliamentary questions ask whether the current acting head of the police is familiar with these findings, including data on the number of crimes, their investigation rates, and any identified irregularities. They also inquire whether the acting head is aware of the outcomes of an internal security process related to the December 8, 2023, accident involving Meglič. Further, the questions seek clarification on whether any personnel or security checks were conducted before Meglič’s appointment as deputy general director, and if so, who carried them out, what aspects were examined, and what conclusions were reached. Lastly, they ask whether the acting head trusts Meglič to carry out his duties given these circumstances. Meglič took on the role of deputy general director of the police on March 4, prior to the elections and during the tenure of former police chief Damjan Petrič, who was appointed by the government led by Robert Golob. The timing of Meglič’s appointment has sparked speculation, with some suggesting that the inquiry could lead to his resignation, as parliamentary members typically avoid challenging public figures whose parties support. This situation reflects broader concerns about accountability and transparency within the police force, particularly in light of past controversies involving high-ranking officials. The controversy highlights ongoing scrutiny of leadership roles within Slovenia’s law enforcement agencies, especially following recent changes in management. As the answers to the parliamentary questions become available, they will likely provide further insight into the extent of oversight and due diligence performed before Meglič’s appointment, potentially influencing future appointments and reforms within the police department.