Interior minister: arduous police work strengthens sense of security in Poland

Siemoniak emphasized that the police handle 20,000 incidents daily, highlighting the scale of their operations. He pointed out that the police currently face staffing and financial issues, combat acts of sabotage, provide assistance at the border, and help in flood response efforts. The criminal division is being rebuilt, and a package of reforms to improve road safety is being prepared.

"This has been a tough and demanding year, but the data shows that this arduous, daily work is paying off and strengthening the sense of security among citizens," he said.

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration, Czesław Mroczek, emphasized that politics have been "removed" from the police force. "Recruitment for key positions, such as commanders, is now based on merit," he stated.

He highlighted the 20% pay raise this year and the equalization of police salaries with those in the military. The police budget saw a 30% increase in 2024 compared to 2023 and is set to rise by 41% in 2025 compared to 2023.

"As a result of these efforts, interest in joining the police force has grown significantly. This year, we have 21,000 applicants, which is an increase of several thousand compared to last year. We can confidently say that the rebuilding of police force numbers has begun. In 2024, we will recruit approximately 6,000 new officers, while around 5,700 will leave the service," Mroczek said.

The deputy minister also mentioned legislative changes facilitating the return of former officers to the force and the creation of a special team to improve working conditions within the police.

Minister Tomasz Siemoniak addressed recent roadblocks by climate activists, calling their actions unacceptable and dangerous.

"We are dealing with two types of incidents: organized demonstrations under the Assembly Act and actions by activists who block streets, posing risks to traffic and their safety," he explained.

For over a week, activists from the "Last Generation" organization have blocked key roads in Warsaw, including Wisłostrada.

Siemoniak assured the public that the police respond promptly and firmly to such disruptions, removing protesters from the streets. "We will fight this kind of pathology with full determination. It’s only a matter of time before these actions lead to a dangerous incident," he warned.

He described these acts as violations punishable by fines and emphasized the police’s strict stance. "There is no tolerance for such behavior," he said, calling it irresponsible and scandalous, endangering public health and safety.

Siemoniak also hinted at the possibility of legislative changes to address these actions more effectively. "If necessary, we will introduce new regulations to prevent blockages like this," he said.

Siemoniak announced plans to extend the buffer zone at the Belarus border, citing continued hybrid aggression against Poland. "Although the number of illegal crossing attempts has decreased, partly due to seasonal factors, the underlying causes persist," he explained. The minister reiterated the importance of maintaining measures to ensure national security.

Minister Siemoniak highlighted that individuals attempting to cross the border illegally were being exploited as tools by Belarus, with the support of Russia. He announced a December conference where detailed information would be presented about the actions of the Border Guard and the implementation of Poland's migration strategy.

Since June 13, a buffer zone with restricted access has been in place along approximately 60 kilometers of the Belarusian border in Hajnówka County (Podlaskie Voivodeship). This zone was initially established by the Ministry of the Interior and Administration (MSWiA) for 90 days and extended for another 90 days starting September 11.

The restricted zone varies in width: in some areas, it extends 200 meters from the border line, while in others, it stretches up to 2 kilometers. This measure aims to reinforce border security and manage the ongoing hybrid threats in the region.