On Friday, July 17, a ceremony marking Police Day was held in the Market Square. Among those attending were Lilla Jaroń, secretary of the voivodeship at the marshal’s office; City Council Chair Janina Piestrak-Babijczuk; deputy district prosecutor Regina Haniszewska; deputy commander of the municipal police Kamila Chalewicz; Mayor Piotr Roman; County Head Cezary Przybylski; Deputy County Head Stanisław Chwojnicki; County Council Chair Karol Stasik; Roman Kłosiński, commander of the 23rd Silesian Artillery Brigade; Grzegorz Kocon, county commander of the State Fire Service in Bolesławiec; Vice-President of the District Court Rafał Gruca; Secretary of Bolesławiec Municipality Andrzej Dutkowski; Mayor of Nowogrodziec Robert Relich; Head of Gromadka Dariusz Pawliszczy; and Artur Falkowski of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Wrocław.
“This day is above all an opportunity to recognize people who have rendered particularly distinguished service,” said Grzegorz Chirowski, head of the Bolesławiec police, during the ceremony. “I am convinced that these distinctions will encourage you to work even harder and, at the same time, motivate your colleagues to achieve similar successes,” the commander told his subordinates.
That day, staff sergeant Wiesław Syrek was awarded the silver “Distinguished Police Officer” badge. In addition, Commander Grzegorz Chirowski presented 86 officers with cash awards for outstanding achievements in service, while 18 police officers received awards granted by local governments. “These distinctions are particularly valuable to us as police officers,” said the head of the Bolesławiec police. “They confirm our belief that the course we have chosen in combating crime and earning public trust is entirely right.”
Civilian police employees were also recognized during the ceremony. Ewa Kurzepa and Henryk Zielonka received letters of congratulations and gifts.
Commissioner Lew and Commander Chirowski also presented awards to the winners of the “A Police Officer’s Work” art competition. In the category for pupils in grades I–III, the winner was Mateusz Walęga from the Primary School in Nowogrodziec, while in the category for pupils in grades IV–VI, first place went to Marta Reguła from the primary school in Brzeźnik.
Twenty-seven police officers were promoted to higher ranks. “It is a great honor for me,” said Sebastian Kulbida, who was promoted to staff sergeant. “I have worked in the police for six years. What I value most about this work is the opportunity to help others. I have never regretted this choice.”
Those commemorating Police Day also remembered Dariusz Chełkowski, who died in the line of duty in 1994. Police officers laid flowers beneath a plaque commemorating the tragic event.
“A public opinion survey conducted in March this year confirmed that residents of our county feel safe and positively assess the work of the police,” Grzegorz Chirowski noted. “It is thanks to the diligent performance of their duties by Bolesławiec officers and their openness to residents’ problems that citizens’ sense of security is growing,” Artur Falkowski added.
(information from KPP Bolesławiec/Gerard Augustyn)