Junior aspirant Anna Kublik-Rościszewska has been working for the Bolesławiec police for more than four years. She has always wanted to be a police officer. She belongs to the Crime Prevention, Juvenile and Pathology Unit, whose members believe that it is better to teach young people something good than to punish them. “You can achieve results very quickly here,” she emphasizes. Did she ever have moments of doubt? “Of course! As in any job,” she says. “One day everything goes smoothly, the next there are obstacles. But you have to overcome them,” she adds.
Jolanta Szerszunowicz’s adventure with the police began 12 years ago. When she got the job, she caused quite a sensation among the men. For a long time, she was one of only a few women among Bolesławiec’s police officers. “It was very pleasant,” she recalls. Both her superiors and colleagues supported her and offered advice. “Even now, there is nothing bad to say,” she points out. One thing has changed—there are currently 13 female police officers working at the headquarters. Seeing women in uniform no longer shocks anyone.
That does not mean, however, that women can no longer surprise uniformed men. This was the case with Sergeant Anna Potoczna-Skiba from the criminal section. When she was hired, she was the first woman assigned to the emergency response patrol. She later obtained authorization to drive police cars. “A girl behind the wheel caused a sensation,” the police officer says with a smile. — “But the guys have already got used to it.”
The beginnings were not easy at all, however. “We had to convince the men that they could go on an intervention with a woman,” the sergeant recalls. Her colleagues feared that she would not prove herself in the role. “They have such concerns with every new female police officer,” she emphasizes. Nevertheless, all the women agree that the men do not make them feel in any way that they are inferior police officers. “They treat us as equals,” Jolanta Szerszunowicz adds.
Resistance to stress, a strong psyche and courage—these are just some of the qualities that can be useful when working in the police. “The ability to talk to people is also important in this profession—both to victims and perpetrators,” says Jolanta Szerszunowicz. And Adriana Szajwaj, spokesperson for the Bolesławiec police, adds: “You have to keep your nerves under control. You must remain composed and not allow yourself to be provoked.”
Female solidarity? The women work in different departments and pass one another by. The closest relationships develop with people one works with every day. “But we are growing stronger in this unit,” Anna Kublik-Rościszewska laughs. “You could say that we form a united front,” Jolanta Szerszunowicz adds.
This is not an easy job. A police officer must be available for duty. “Sometimes a woman is needed to search another woman,” Adriana Szajwaj explains. What is more, it is easier for a female police officer to establish contact with a child being questioned. Jolanta Szerszunowicz and Jolanta Szymańska act as public prosecutors in misdemeanor cases. “The court sets the date and we must comply,” Szerszunowicz states. And she adds: “But if our actions have the desired effect, it is truly rewarding. It makes us believe in the meaning of what we do. Besides, we like our work. We would not trade it for any other.”
(GA information)