Just a few years ago, municipal police officers were seen only on the streets of large cities. Recently, however, they have also begun operating in smaller towns such as Zgorzelec and Polkowice. The commander of the municipal police from the latter city presented councillors with the force’s duties and powers. These include, among other things, protecting peace and order in public places, traffic control, protecting municipal buildings and public-utility facilities, as well as regularly patrolling streets and residential areas.
An Officer Costs a Lot
Supporters of establishing a municipal police force argue that it would relieve the police, which it is in fact subordinate to. There is no shortage of opponents of this option, however, who believe that it is too expensive a solution for the city and that it would be better to provide additional funding for police patrols than to invest substantial sums in services with fewer powers and competences. They emphasize that the municipal police’s activity in large cities does not contribute to reducing crime and, above all, costs a great deal.
The debate over establishing a municipal police force will continue. The potential benefits are not substantial enough to determine whether the force should be established, and it cannot be ruled out that it will remain merely an ambitious plan.