2019-07-24 17:52 update: 2019-07-27, 15:22
Photo PAP/Leszek Szymański
Main ceremonies marking Police Day, which this year coincides with the Polish police force's centenary, were held in Warsaw on Wednesday with participation of Poland's top officials, MPs, MEPs and police officers from all over the country.
The commander in chief of the Polish police, Chief Inspector Jaroslaw Szymczyk said in an opening speech that the celebration of the Police Day proves the importance of remembering the sacrifice of previous generations in the fight for Poland's freedom and independence.
"Today, beautiful and glorious traditions combined with modern requirements form a solid foundation and are the basis for the efficient operation of the contemporary police force. We are proud of our past and use its resources with great humility," he said, adding that the Polish police will continue to do their best to make Poland "an extremely safe country."
During the celebrations, President Andrzej Duda appointed four police officers, inspectors Pawel Dzierzak, Tomasz Klimek, Andrzej Lapinski and Henryk Moskwa, to the rank of general while the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration Elzbieta Witek presented them with traditional generals' sabres.
"One can build a state's good future only on the foundation of safety," Witek said.
The president also decorated three police officers for merits for saving human lives. The Cross of Merit for Bravery went to the staff sergeant Marek Mlodawski and the younger aspirant Karol Susz, while the Medal for Sacrifice and Courage was awarded to the senior aspirant Rafal Dabrowski.
Duda thanked all police officers and their families for "the extraordinary, dedicated service to the nation and homeland that they perform every day."
He also thanked the interior minister and her predecessors for starting and continuing the Polish police modernisation programme.
"A policeman must be well-equipped and should be duly rewarded, and above all he should be able to serve in the safest possible way, and this is a matter of decent conditions and good equipment," the president said, adding that the largest portion of funds for modernisation of uniformed services was earmarked for the needs of the police force.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said during his speech that "there would be no strong state, showing understanding for the weak, and sometimes being ruthless for the strong and for criminals, without an efficient and well-equipped police force."
Police Day is celebrated in Poland on July 24. On this day in 1919, the country's state police force was set up by the Sejm, or lower house of parliament. During communist times, the force was called Citizens' Militia. On April 6, 1990, the name "police" was reinstated. (PAP)
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