“I would like to express my sincere regret for the extremely difficult life situation Joanna found herself in. I don’t care about police actions related to this. Joanna’s life situation is not the fault of the police. I would like to express my regret that this conference is taking place today. In many other situations, I wouldn’t agree to run it. The way my people were attacked based on a one-sided subjective account, the way the actions of Polish police officers were presented, gave me no other choice,” emphasized General Jarosław Szymczyk, the chief commander of the police. As he added, “Mrs. Joanna was not detained for a moment.”
The police released the recordings of the operation
The information we will present is the result of the initial activities of the control desk employees. These activities are ongoing. What we’re going to talk about is generally procedural material and we’ve asked the President of the Prosecution for permission to present this material. We have obtained permission, with the exclusion of personal, address and telephone data, data that constitute a medical secret
remarked the commander.
The report was made by the doctor, concerned about her patient’s health, the threats she made in connection with committing suicide, and decided to notify the services to save that person’s life. This is dramatic and credible information, because the dispatcher informed the city police station in Krakow. The command officer on duty immediately directed the patrol to the woman’s residence. At the same time, he contacted the reporter and conducted another interview
reported the commander.
The commander pointed out that the main reason for action remains beyond doubt: “to report on the possibility of committing suicide and to take inseparable measures to prevent this suicide”. He added that the police officers in the woman’s hometown found her in a very bad state – both mentally and physically.
Rescue workers called for the help of the police in the ambulance
The woman herself confirmed that she had bought some medical supplies online that she had brought with her over the past few days. The police and rescue team came to the reasonable conclusion that both the mental and physical condition resulted from its use. Therefore, another question was asked by the police officers, where and how she bought the drugs. Mrs. Joanna wouldn’t cooperate, all she said was electronically, using the laptop she indicated
said the policeman. He added that when asked if she still had these details, the woman denied it. It was decided to take the woman to the hospital for an examination, to which the woman reacted with agitation.
The emergency medical team asked the police officers to assist them on their way to the hospital. There was a request that the police officers go in an ambulance, which they refused. They followed them in a police car and added that they would be available if needed. On the way to the military hospital, the officers discussed the course of the intervention with the police officer on duty. The officer on duty made a decision, and since there is a reasonable suspicion that the drugs that could pose a threat to people’s lives and health were bought over the internet, he decided that the police should secure Ms. Joanna’s laptop and phone so that we can find out how, from whom they were bought and what the drug is, in order to save possible subsequent buyers. Mrs. Joanna would not hand over the laptop, the police informed her that they had to secure the computer. They took it out of the trunk they had seen the woman put it in. A protocol was drawn up, Mrs. Joanna was informed
General Szymczyk continued.
The police officers did not interfere with the doctors’ actions
He pointed out that the police officers had not hindered the doctors in any way in carrying out their duties. He added that the woman refused to hand over her mobile phone, which police reported to the officer on duty.
The officer on duty decided to send female police officers to search the woman. The doctors decided to conduct a specialist examination of the woman at the city hospital in Krakow. The medical team again asked the police to assist, again in the ambulance. The police officers refused, saying they would follow the ambulance. Upon arrival, the priority was to examine Ms. Joanna. Only after the investigation, with the doctors’ permission, was Ms. Joanna searched to secure her mobile phone – only to obtain and secure information on how the banned drugs had been obtained, whether she was in possession of other dangerous substances and dangerous items in connection with the staff’s decision to leave her on the hospital ward. After completion of the work, the mobile phone is secured according to protocol. Mrs. Joanna was not detained for a moment
– pointed out to the police officer and added that the police officers did everything possible to prevent the woman’s suicide, no coercive measures were used, procedural steps were taken. The chief added that no complaints had been registered against the police.
I ask you to calm the atmosphere. This campaign against police officers who performed their legal duties, who acted to prevent someone from committing suicide – these are baseless and unjustified attacks
stressed Szymczyk.
Today in Wrocław there was an attack with a knife on a uniformed officer. I’m not linking these events, but let’s hope we don’t have more of that kind just because we attack police officers without giving them a chance to explain this case. I absolutely do not condone this public lynching of my people. They performed the tasks they were required to do. They were protecting Mrs. Joanna’s life, they were protecting the lives of other people who might have turned to the drugs that Mrs. Joanna also bought and took
– said the police chief, General Insp. Jaroslaw Szymczyk.
Chief: The court had a month and a half to analyze it
During the press conference, General Szymczyk was asked about the position of the Kraków District Court, which ruled that it was illegal for the police officers to withhold Ms. Joanna’s phone and that – as the court stated – “it would be desirable for them in the future to be more restrained in carrying out activities in hospital conditions against a person who cannot be charged”.
I have an iron rule, I never comment on court decisions. I always respect those judgments
the police chief noted.
The agents acted under great time pressure, while the court probably had a month and a half to make a decision, because it probably made this decision on June 12 with incomparably richer evidence
noted Szymczyk.
I respect this decision and believe that I will certainly review it carefully
– added.
When asked if keeping the phone and laptop was lawful, Szymczyk replied that the court’s decision only applies to the phone.
It’s not about stopping the laptop, I want to make that clear
he said.
As for the phone, the court ruling shows that it was unfounded
– added.
We respect that and we also want to point out the difference; we want to point out that the police officers thought it reasonable at the time they secured it, acting under time pressure. However, the court, which had time for a very thorough and thorough analysis of documents made much later than the intervention, made such a decision, and no other
he explained.
Szymczyk was also asked if it made sense to ask Mrs. Joanna questions at that time, when she was in poor health, and if it couldn’t wait.
These questions were not asked by police officers, but by paramedics, because they were the ones who assessed Joanna’s health condition and they were the first to ask questions. Joanna gave this information to them. By the way, we also had it in the application. This was clearly stated in the report, so it was also important for the medical services to know what Joanna had taken. It was also a matter of saving her health and life; these are questions that seem perfectly natural at the moment
he answered.
Suspected suicide attempt
General Szymczak was asked by journalists whether all people rescued from suicide by police officers are treated in the same way as revealed at the conference, and whether such actions are used in similar cases, such as Personal Review.
I can’t imagine a situation where we’re dealing with a person trying to commit suicide without us searching that person for items, tools or perhaps substances that could be used to commit suicide
– he said.
I do not confirm the instructions regarding coughing, but I also want to say that as a result of these inspection activities, we found out that the policewoman asked for the possibility to also check the lower part of her underwear, but after the information from the doctor that she had just examined these areas, the policewoman withdrew from these activities
added the commander.
However, every time we check every person suspected of trying to commit suicide for dangerous tools or substances that can be used for this purpose
said Szymczyk.
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wkt/PAP
Source: wPolityce
Emma Matthew is a political analyst for “Social Bites”. With a keen understanding of the inner workings of government and a passion for politics, she provides insightful and informative coverage of the latest political developments.