Why Is the Warsaw Police Force Struggling to Maintain Order?

Polish flag on a rooftop in Warsaw, Poland

Warsaw’s police force is struggling with a severe personnel shortage, leading to critical delays in emergency response times and raising concerns over public safety.

At a Glance

The shortage has pushed the Warsaw police into “emergency mode.”
Warsaw is short approximately 2,500 officers.
Foreign nationals may soon be recruited to meet workforce needs.
Residents face increased emergency response times.

Crisis in Warsaw Police Force

The Warsaw police force is currently experiencing a crisis due to a severe shortage of personnel. Operating in “emergency mode,” the department faces significant challenges in maintaining public safety and promptly responding to incidents. The deficit, driven by budget constraints, high attrition rates, and recruitment difficulties, has jeopardized the force’s operational capacity.

“We are operating in emergency mode,” said Walichnowski.

Currently, Warsaw is missing approximately 2,500 officers from its required workforce of 10,000. This shortfall has significantly increased the response times for emergency situations. “In numbers, it looks like this: We used to take about 10, 15, 20 minutes to reach the scene of an intervention or a road accident. Today, the wait time is much longer, up to 40 minutes,” Walichnowski added.

Potential Solutions

The Main Commandant’s Office of the Polish Police is considering the recruitment of foreign nationals to fill the vacancies. This move, partly spurred by the increase in foreign nationals in Poland due to the war in Ukraine, aims to create a more diverse and resilient police force. Addressing the shortage is crucial to ensuring the safety and security of Warsaw’s residents.

The recruitment strategy also aligns with the government’s broader plan to employ over 10,000 officers in 2024, with 60% being university graduates. Despite these efforts, reinforcements in Warsaw remain insufficient. The integration of foreign nationals into the force could provide a short-term solution while more sustainable measures are developed.

Wider Implications

This crisis in Warsaw is part of a broader pattern seen in other regions, such as Benton County, where the Sheriff’s Office and Jail are facing significant staff shortages, partly due to low pay and insufficient benefits. Sheriff Knox highlighted that Benton County is currently the shortest staffed of the Mid-Missouri Sheriff’s Offices, suggesting that increased pay could attract and retain more deputies

“I have had five people tell me that if we raised the pay they would want to work as a deputy,” said Sheriff Knox. “The work takes training and skills and is dangerous, and the right people need to have enough of a salary to make it worthwhile.”

Warsaw’s current predicament underscores the need for quick and effective actions to bolster the police workforce. Ensuring the law enforcement structure remains robust and reliable is essential for maintaining public safety and preserving the trust and confidence of the community. Coordinated efforts and innovative approaches will be necessary to overcome these challenges and restore the effectiveness of the Warsaw police force.