Police misconduct: Officer detained after colleague’s report

25 February 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

A police officer from Wołów has been detained following a sexual-misconduct complaint by a fellow officer; the Lower Silesia police say an investigation is under way to clarify the circumstances.

The arrest of a police officer from Wołów after a fellow officer filed a complaint has intensified scrutiny of police conduct and internal accountability in Poland. The case, described by authorities as potentially involving an offence from the category of crimes against sexual freedom, was confirmed by the Komenda Wojewódzka Policji we Wrocławiu on 25 February.

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What happened

On the afternoon of Wednesday 25 February, the provincial police in Lower Silesia issued a statement saying that a woman serving at the Komenda Powiatowa Policji w Wołowie had reported a possible sexual offence committed against her. In response, police detained a male colleague from the same station. The statement made clear that investigators have not released the detained officer’s rank, age or other identifying details, and that the case concerns a potential crime from the group described in Polish as “przestępstwa przeciwko wolności seksualnej” — broadly, crimes against sexual freedom.

Why this matters

For expats, this story is significant for two reasons. First, allegations of police misconduct affect public trust in institutions charged with citizens’ safety. Second, the fact that the complainant is a serving police officer highlights internal reporting channels and the difficulties victims can face when the alleged perpetrator is a colleague. Polish police agencies increasingly emphasise internal accountability, but high-profile cases can still reveal gaps in culture and procedure.

What authorities will do next

The Komenda Wojewódzka Policji we Wrocławiu said that “czynności” (procedural measures) are ongoing with both the reporting officer and the detained man to establish the facts. In Poland, such enquiries typically involve both the police and the public prosecutor (prokuratura). If the prosecutor decides to press charges, formal criminal proceedings can follow. Separately, internal disciplinary or administrative steps may be taken by the police hierarchy or by the national Internal Affairs unit, the Biuro Spraw Wewnętrznych.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you are an expat in Poland and need to report police misconduct or seek support, you can file a complaint at any police station (Komenda) or contact the local public prosecutor (Prokuratura). There is also the national Internal Affairs bureau (Biuro Spraw Wewnętrznych) for matters involving police officers. If you are a victim, preserve evidence (messages, emails), request a medical examination, ask for an interpreter if needed, and consider contacting your embassy for consular assistance and advice on local legal resources. Polish authorities commonly limit public disclosure of identities and details during active investigations to protect victims and the integrity of proceedings.

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