Blue lights to look “official”? The order: measures against abusive police officers and officials

The use of blue lights or institutional logos on vehicles by officials or officers while driving off duty may now lead to criminal prosecution in addition to fines. For years, indiscriminate and abusive use has become a concern for citizens, who are forced to give way or clear the road.

Recently, police have recorded many cases of blue lights or police plates, tinted windows and institutional logos being used by police, courts and prosecution staff outside working hours — and even faked by non-officials.

The most recent case involved singer Jozefin Marku, who used a vehicle bearing police insignia to stage a fake checkpoint in order to catch Eduart Kuçi, a citizen from Kosovo who had previously insulted him on social media.

Blue lights are sold en masse in car accessory shops, and in many cases are also bought online on Temu. Recently, Police Chief Hita has drawn up an action plan to crack down on this phenomenon, instructing all structures. The order starts with the State Police itself. Hita has asked his subordinates in the police that no official, when off duty and not on service, be allowed to display insignia on unauthorized civilian vehicles. This includes all officials — even prosecutors and judges, and the police itself.