Eric Mišić captured the incident at the Karlovac Police Department on video, and it went viral. The police claim the entrance was open, and they are filing a misdemeanor report against the 27-year-old.
A malfunctioning air conditioning system at the Karlovac Police Department turned the service hall into an unbearably hot space, turning the wait for documents for dozens of citizens into a real drama. On Thursday, August 6, 2026, as outdoor temperatures hit 40 degrees, 27-year-old Eric Mišić lost his temper. His reaction, captured on his phone, quickly went viral and divided the public.
Eric Mišić came with his mother to pick up an ID card and driver's license. Outside the building, he found at least thirty people waiting, as he told Kaportal. "Among them were several children and elderly people," he described. When he went inside to take a number from the ticket dispenser, he was surprised. "A cooler breeze hit me. I thought: OK, it's pleasant, at least the AC is working," he recalled. But then a clerk at the counter called out, "Please, step outside."
He complied and went out, but after seeing his mother feeling unwell, he went to a nearby Konzum and bought three bottles of water. A man from Germany, also waiting, brought water and food for others. The question from other citizens about why they were waiting outside triggered his outburst. "They said they were told to go out, just like me," he said.
He re-entered the room, which he said was 27 degrees, and demanded an explanation. "She said it's because their AC isn't working. I asked how that's possible. Inside it's really cool, pleasant, while outside it's 40 degrees and 40 people are waiting," Mišić recounted. At that point, he took out his phone and started recording. "I didn't insult anyone, I didn't threaten anyone, but I raised my voice... And I asked them if they were out of their minds. I have a soft spot for the weaker ones," he added.
After a clerk warned him that he wasn't allowed to film and that she would call the police, he went out and urged everyone gathered to come inside. "I went out, told everyone I'd take responsibility for all of them, and invited them in to cool off. And they started coming in," he recounted.
On Saturday, the Karlovac Police Department responded with a lengthy statement, saying that "inaccurate and unfounded information" had appeared on social media. Their version of events is significantly different. They confirmed that the cooling system in the entire building was malfunctioning and at one point was even blowing hot air. The fault was only fixed on Friday, August 7.
An additional problem was the service hall with three large glass walls that attract and retain heat. As a result, the police claim, it was "extremely hot, stuffy, and suffocating" inside. According to their version, after taking a number, most citizens voluntarily decided to go outside and wait in the fresh air. They emphasized that the entrance to the room was open at all times, and priority was given to the elderly, infirm, and parents with children.
The police claim that the 27-year-old entered around 10:15 a.m., complained loudly, and after leaving and returning, began disturbing public order and peace by shouting and yelling at the female staff. He then used his phone to film and photograph the interior, despite a no-filming sign on the entrance door. A misdemeanor report will be filed against him with the Municipal Court in Karlovac for violations of Articles 13 and 15 of the Law on Misdemeanors against Public Order and Peace.
The police also apologized to citizens who had to wait in high temperatures due to the malfunction, emphasizing that they had no control over the fault.
Eric Mišić is aware of the consequences. "I explained the situation to a police officer, and he stood up for me," he said, praising the professionalism of the police. "A misdemeanor proceeding will be initiated against me for unauthorized filming and disturbing public order and peace. Let it go; I don't regret it." His video has garnered over a hundred thousand views, and he says people have shown him support. "I know I shouldn't have filmed, but I'd do it again, because what happened was really ugly," he concluded.
The key question, to which the two sides give completely opposite answers, remains: Did citizens have to wait outside because the clerks told them to, or did they voluntarily go out because it was even more uncomfortable inside the service hall than outdoors?
