The complaint: Police officers are being asked to return the money for overtime hours worked under an official order

A complaint has been filed by the editorial staff of “JOQ Albania,” in which a police officer at the Berat Local Police Directorate raises accusations regarding the financial treatment of officers after performing extended-hour duties.

According to the complaint, during 2024 police officers at this directorate worked for approximately three consecutive months on 12-hour shifts, under an official order from the Director General of the Police.

The duties were carried out under difficult working conditions, with a high physical and psychological workload, including high temperatures and operations in remote mountainous areas such as Mount Tomorr.

The officers emphasize that the overtime hours were genuinely worked, were mandatory under institutional orders, and were not a voluntary choice by the employees. However, payment for these hours was delayed for several months and was made only in October 2024.

The situation, according to the complainant, worsened in December 2024, when around 400,000 old lekë were deducted from each officer’s salary, with the justification that more money had been paid than necessary.

Meanwhile, in January 2026, officers were presented with another list, asking them to sign for further financial deductions, again around 400,000 old lekë or more per employee. The justification given was that the 12-hour work schedule is outside the Labor Code and was identified as a violation by an audit.

In total, the amount requested to be deducted from the officers’ salaries reaches approximately 71 million old lekë, a significant financial burden for officers who served under difficult conditions and with professionalism.

“KORÇA BOOM”