In the duty officer’s room of the Bolesławiec Municipal Police, right next to the national emblem, hangs a cross. The religious symbol in a public place where residents are received raises questions about compliance with the principle of ideological neutrality of public institutions.
The istotne.pl editorial office asked the commander of the Municipal Police, Kamila Chalewicz-Pudłowska, among other things, who decided to hang the cross, when this happened, and whether it constitutes a manifestation of religious beliefs in a space belonging to all citizens—regardless of their faith or worldview. We also asked whether the Municipal Police would allow symbols of other religions or beliefs, such as humanist or atheistic ones, to be placed in the same location.
To this day, we have received no response—the commander, Chalewicz-Pudłowska, remains silent.
State Neutrality and Freedom of Conscience
Under the Constitution of the Republic of Poland (Article 25, paragraph 2), “public authorities in the Republic of Poland shall be impartial in matters of religious, philosophical and ideological convictions.” This means that state and local-government institutions may not favor any religion or worldview.
Article 53 of the Constitution guarantees everyone freedom of conscience and religion, including the right to ideological neutrality in dealings with public institutions.
A cross in a place where citizens handle official matters may therefore be perceived as a violation of this principle—particularly by non-believers or people of another religion. It is worth remembering that a public office is not a place of worship, but a shared space where everyone should feel they are treated with equal respect.
Will the City Councillors Respond?
The matter could spark a discussion among city councillors, who oversee the functioning of the Municipal Police. Perhaps the city council should take a position on compliance with the constitutional principle of ideological neutrality in local-government units.