The State of Investigative Interviewing and the Implementation of the Méndez Principles in Montenegro

Abstract

This paper examines the state of investigative interviewing in Montenegro and assesses the feasibility of implementing the Méndez Principles on non-coercive interviewing. As international standards increasingly promote rights-based approaches, evaluating national readiness for reform has growing comparative relevance. Existing assessments identify shortcomings in training, legislative alignment, and interview practices. An anonymous survey was conducted with a small, purposively selected sample of ten senior investigative officers to explore practitioner perspectives. While awareness of the Méndez Principles was limited, participants expressed strong support for ethical, non-coercive interviewing, endorsed audio- and video-recording, and highlighted the need for clearer procedures, improved conditions, and structured approaches to vulnerable interviewees. Reported barriers include insufficient training, resource constraints, and institutional resistance to change. Given the limited sample, the findings are exploratory and indicative rather than generalizable to the entire Montenegro police force. Nonetheless, they suggest openness to reform at the leadership level and underscore the need for systematic training, legislative harmonization, and sustained organizational support to embed the Méndez Principles in practice.