Tusk Criticizes Police Protection of Politician Residences and Questions the Guarding of His Own Home
Donald Tusk took aim at the police for safeguarding the home of Jarosław Kaczyński while seemingly accepting police protection for his own residence in Sopot. Maciej Wąsik, deputy head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, called such double standards a stark example of cynicism and hypocrisy, referencing the former prime minister’s remarks that the ruling party was trying to undermine police credibility.
In accompanying remarks, Wąsik challenged the accuracy of Tusk’s statements aired on TVP Info, noting that police protection should not be treated as a political tool. He stressed that the police service is not a political instrument for Żoliborz or PiS figures and that protection must be consistent regardless of color or affiliation.
Wąsik expressed astonishment at the suggestion that police coverage for a public figure’s residence constitutes hypocrisy, arguing that the protection is warranted by requests from the concerned individual and their family. He noted that a dedicated 24-hour police post had long been established near Tusk’s home in Sopot and affirmed that authorities will maintain security for all citizens, independent of party loyalties.
According to Wąsik, the situation underscores a broader pattern where Tusk accuses the police of political bias while benefiting from their protective services himself. He argued that such conduct reveals a political double standard.
During the discussion, Wąsik recalled Poland’s status as one of Europe’s safest nations, highlighting the general public sense of security in towns and neighborhoods. He contrasted this with conditions in Western Europe, suggesting a difference in experience and perception.
The topic resurfaced when Tusk suggested that the Polish police are experiencing troubling times. He pointed to a grenade launcher incident at a Warsaw police station and the Pruszków incident in which two teenagers were killed, framing these events as indicators of growing strain on the police. The Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office took over the investigation into the Pruszków incident, with witnesses to be heard and an expert to assess injuries.
Speaking to concerns about the safety of families, Tusk emphasized the responsibility of the police to protect not only women and men but also the younger generation from aggression. He asserted that the police exist to shield citizens, not to serve political authority, a point he reiterated as a former prime minister.
In his remarks, Tusk also criticized actions by some officers who, from a lift of a fire truck, looked into the windows of an apartment associated with the so‑called Flying Opposition Brigade, known for controversial activities tied to monthly publications. He described such behavior as pathetic and saddening and claimed that many police officers share the sentiment of embarrassment over these incidents. He warned that thousands of police personnel may leave their posts in response to political pressure, particularly around Nowogrodzka and Żoliborz, where party activities have been prominent. He argued that police should not feel coerced to stand by party rallies or to align with political interests.
Tusk also argued that PiS has damaged the police’s long-standing reputation, built over decades after the post‑Communist era. He asserted that the police were once trusted as a cornerstone of public life and that concerted pressure from political forces has undercut that trust.
The discussion, attributed to the police and political leaders, reflects ongoing tensions between the ruling party and the opposition over law enforcement, public safety, and the police’s perceived independence from politics. The statements highlight divergent views on how policing should function within a democratic system and how political actions can influence public perception of law enforcement.
tkwl/PAP
Source: wPolityce