Based on political changes initiated in 1989 and on moral and legal patterns stipulated
in the Act on the Police of 6 April 1990, this paper brings closer the development of the
Police Forces in Poland up to the present day. The analysis is carried out in the context
of criminal behaviour and other shameful acts performed by police officers. Most of
them generally discredited the professionalism and fundamental ethical principles of
the Police. However, at the same time, the Police regularly receives new legal
instruments such as "the crown witness" and the so called "small crown witness" to
fight organized crime, and a number of specialized structures such as the Central
Investigation Bureau. The Police is systematically developing contacts and cooperation
with foreign institutions such as Europol, FBI or BKA. Unfortunately, around 2003 and
2004 internal criminal activities conducted by police officers started to intensify.
Corruption spread among officers of all ranks, from local police stations to the General
Head Quarters. The media are full of stories of lame investigations for example in
murder of the Chief of the National Police Marek Papała or murder of a young
businessman Krzysztof Olewnik. Cardinal professional errors committed during these
investigations put the Police in an unfavourable light. Therefore, doubts regarding
professionalism, ethical values and authority of the Police seem to be justified. The
author also points to reckless development of relations between the Police Head
Quarters and politicians who put the Police officers of the highest rank under their
dubious supervision and command. The moral values and political neutrality so
important for the founding fathers of the modern Police, now after 26 years, remain
a mere theoretical legal record. As a conclusion, this paper suggests a consensus
solution: an institution with high public authority for example the Ombudsman or the
Supreme Bar Council, in order to establish a permanent practice of appointment of the
head of the Police for a 5-year term of office with the possibility of renewal for the next
5 years