Four police officers who, six years ago, barely managed to subdue a violent murderer and prevent another tragedy, are now facing charges of exceeding their authority. The case has made headlines across the media. Criticism has come not only from an opposition politician but also from a close associate of one of Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s key ministers.
In mid-July this year, officers from the Internal Affairs Bureau of the National Police Headquarters (BSW KGP) simultaneously raided apartments, a police station, and a local establishment in the Mazovia region. A dramatic arrest followed. Three active-duty officers and one former officer were handcuffed. In full view of their colleagues, they were led out like criminals and taken to the District Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw.
There, they were all charged with “acting jointly and in agreement, exceeding their authority by applying an impermissible immobilization technique to a detainee, involving the placement of his feet behind handcuffs fastened behind his back while he was lying face down.”
When did this alleged abuse occur? Six years ago. It concerns the high-profile murder on April 11, 2019, at the rectory of St. Augustine’s Church on Nowolipki Street in the Wola district of Warsaw.
There, Jan B., in a fit of rage, murdered 65-year-old Marek T., the father of one of the priests serving in the Archdiocese of Warsaw. When the police arrived on the scene, they struggled to restrain the attacker. Ultimately, the officers subdued the man by placing his feet behind the handcuffs locked behind his back. Shortly after, the man lost consciousness and was transported to the hospital. He was later revived and suffered no lasting harm.
Visibly emotional, Law and Justice (PiS) Vice President Patryk Jaki commented on the incident. He reminded the public that soldiers at the border had been treated in a similar fashion:
“We stand firmly with these officers,” Jaki said.
Jacek Dobrzyński, spokesperson for the Minister-Coordinator of Special Services and close associate of Tomasz Siemoniak, also spoke out in defense of the officers.
“I don’t understand why the prosecutor treated people like this – officers who for years have been catching criminals and thugs of all kinds,” he protested.