Security expert and former police chief, Fatjon Softa, has commented on the race to elect the new director of the State Police, following the dismissal of Ilir Proda, emphasizing that the fact that the candidates come from within the system is a positive development.

According to Softa, there are three categories of candidates in this race: district leaders, administrative leaders who are part of the structures of the Police Directorate, and former senior police leaders. He also emphasized that two women are also participating in the race, which according to him contributes to respecting gender equality. Softa in News24 stated that the position of Director of the State Police is a specific function and is often considered a position with political influence, emphasizing that the Prime Minister, as leader of the majority, bears responsibility for order and security in the country.

He also criticized the fact that over the years no Minister of Interior has completed a full term and that every change at the head of the ministry has also led to the dismissal of the Director General of the Police, creating, according to him, anomalies in the functioning of the institution. The security expert emphasized that the head of the police should be elected through a genuine competition and not only on the basis of the name, but on a concrete platform. According to him, each candidate should present a clear plan for the innovations he will bring to the management of the State Police. Softa also underlined that over the last 35 years, several strategies have been changed in the security sector, adding that the police should be detached from political influence to guarantee a more professional and sustainable functioning.

"It is important that the competition is within the system. Those who are in the competition are part of the police structure, which is admirable. Here I distinguish three categories of people, district leaders, administrative leaders, who are part of the Police Directorate, and former senior leaders. There are also two women competing in this competition, which also fulfills gender equality. The role of the police director is specific, as they have called it a political post. The Prime Minister should be the one who has the majority and who is responsible for order and security. No minister has completed a full mandate and every change in him has brought about the departure of the General Director, creating anomalies. I have requested that the director be elected through competition, and not have a name, but a platform. Each one must submit a platform on what will bring innovation to the direction of the Police. In 35 years, we have changed strategies. Therefore, the police must be detached from politics," he said.

Focusing on the dismissal of Ilir Proda from the post of Director of the State Police, Softa said that in this case the cause was found. "There are several rows before you get to the Director General. There is the Chief of Order, of Road Traffic. This is the manager. The attack on an object, instead of dealing with those who attacked, we deal with those who were hit. The removal from office has gone for other issues. The position of the Director General is technical, the structures are exposed," he said. Softa focused on the potential candidate to replace Proda, Softa said that the condition is a long term assignment in this structure and that the new director must have a broad consensus, as in the case of Tonin Vocaj.