Breakthrough

Factors for Success in Establishing Confidence and Trust between LGBTI Organizations and the Police in Poland

Krzysztof Łaszkiewicz

Human Rights Advisor to the Chief Commander of the Polish Police

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Human Rights Adviser to the Head of Polish Police, Police National HQ, Warsaw

• Chief of Human Resources and Training Department, Police National HQ, Warsaw (2006 - 2009)

• Police Teacher, Police Training Centre in Slupsk, (1996-2005)

• Police Officer at a Police Station - since 1992 - 1996

e-mail: krzysztof.laszkiewicz@policja.gov.pl

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Policing in Poland

• Population - 38 m

• Land area - 312 685 km2

• Polish Police „POLICJA” is the unitary national police service (100 000

police officers and 23 000 civilian staff). Routinely armed police

officers provide the main security service over the state territory.

• Legal framework for policing - Police Act of 1990.

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An Iron Curtain. June 4th, 1989

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Homophobia in Poland …

A few examples …

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Symbolization

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A sense of Impunity7

Aggression and Radicalization8

Street provocation9

Politicitization

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Organizing11

Building Cooperation and Confidence between Police and the LGBTI Community in Poland

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Starting Point in Poland

• Historical ‘legacy’. Hyacinth Action 1985 – 1987.

• Anxiety and social stereotypes. Homophobia and prejudice.

• Police officers as a mirror reflection of society.

• No homophobia definition in the Penal Code.

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The Main Factors and Steps

• Convince the police management to take active measures (initiate action)

• Changing minds and awareness• Building an internal coalition in the police

environment• Overcome mutual stereotypes• Building joint programs and strategies• Consistency and long – term action• Building mutual confidence

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Examples of Practical Activities

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Police Advisers for Human Rights ProtectionSince 2007 – the National Network

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Human Rights Advisersto the Regional (Voivodship) Police

Commanders

Established in 2006 as a group of ad hoc experts and in 2008 as an independent posts within the police organisational structure (General & Regional Police HQs, police training centers)

Main task – monitoring HR standards in the context of police activity (both external and internal)

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1. promotion of human rights and promoting the best standards of their protection in the Police;

2. monitoring of police activities in terms of respecting human dignity and human rights, and proposing solutions and necessary undertakings in order to ensure high standards in this respect;

3. initiation of cooperation and maintaining regular contact with institutions and NGOs which may assist police action in the field of human rights;

4. initiating, monitoring and coordinating the activities of organizational units and the Police in the province, in the implementation of recommendations of national and international institutions and organizations responsible for protection of human rights and responsibilities under national programs in the area of human rights protection;

Tasks of HR Advisers

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1. preparation of information, opinions and reports concerning the assessment of compliance of police officers’ activity with human rights standards and professional police ethics;

2. diagnosis of training needs, initiating or self-organizing in-service training for police officers in order to ensure proper level of respecting human rights by police officers;

3. representation of the Regional/Municipal Police Commander in the national and international human rights meetings, seminars and other events;

4. preparation of annual reports on the activities of the Regional Police Headquarters regarding the protection of human rights;

Tasks of HR Advisers

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HOW and WHY?

The Levels of Interaction

The Result of Internal Evaluation20

Recruitment process

Basic training

Process of adaptation

Trainings at higher levels of career

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Recruit the Best

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Selection process

• How to select right people for the Police?

• 2011 – modification of the process of selection of candidates to the Police – structured interview with questions regarding prejudice and attitudes towards other people

• Checking their attitudes and habits by focused interview

• Areas examined :

1. Motivation to join the police service

2. The attitude towards other people

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Selection process

If the candidate:1. sees and takes into account feelings and opinions of

others

2. shows openness to diversity, multiculturalism and tolerant attitude towards other people

3. understands the obligation to respect human dignity and general values and moral standards

• What is being assessed?

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Selection process

• Example questions:

1. What do you think about homosexual persons?

2. What do you think when seeing a person begging on the street?

3. How would you describe unethical behavior?

4. What you cannot tolerate in the others?

5. What do the human rights mean to you?

6. Is the objectivity being objective/impartial? important in the police? Why?

7. What do you think about minorities in our country?

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Basic Training

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How to Teach about Human Rights during the Basic

Training?

Serve and Protect

A guide for Police Trainers

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Human Rights in the Management of the

Police

Workshop for Managers

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Training for police commanders

and managers

Tailor-made one day training workshops for provincial/municipal commanders and their

deputies conducted by HR advisors

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Combating Hate Crimes

A Special Workshop for Police Officers

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Monitoring Mass Events and Public Gatherings

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International Cooperation

European Diversity in Policing

How to make the police more diverse?

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The Situation of the Victim in a Criminal Trial

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MULTI - KULTIMultimedia Support for the Educational Process

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Conversation in the Shade

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‘Live’ Library

Direct Support for Policing Education

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