PW_3_2025

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Poland Exchange Visit by Emma Portfleet I arrived in Wrocław (pronounced Roslav), full of anticipation, having practiced, “dzień dobry, nazywam się Emma Portfleet. Miło mi cię poznać.” I was met at the airport by Michał and Urszula. B ut instead of doing my Polish introduction, my mind went blank, and I squeaked out a “hi” and made it awkward. Thankfully, Michał, who is an Inspector, and Urszula who is a second in command Polish history is important to the identity of Poland and is commemorated at their HQ building. Kacper and I had the pleasure of being shown around by Bartek from Centralne Biuro Śledcze Policji which is a branch of their serious and organised crime unit, similar to a cross between our ROCU and NCA. Bartek has an expansive skill set, certainly one to be envious of.

Sergeant, both from community policing teams, were lovely and spoke amazing English. They took me on a tour of the Old Town where we climbed 300+ steps to the top of the church tower and had incredible views over the city and out to the mountains. I stayed on a German military base, now the Wrocław Police training complex, built in 1936 when the Soviets had control of Poland. I was joined by Kacper, a Met Police officer, who thankfully speaks perfect Polish and English, having grown up in Poland before moving to the UK aged 17. The base once had a river running through it, a subsidiary of the river Odra, that allowed for shipments to arrive by boat. During high water, the river runs through the complex, but currently just a lake remains. The last remaining bridge of its kind still stands as a crossing over the lake. It is made up of 4 different sections, constructed of different materials; stone, concrete, brick and steel.

HQ was built in 1928 and contains many artistic and beautiful features. Sadly, it also contains a number of less original features, such as bullet holes. The corridors of the HQ building are all curved. This is a legacy of German engineering and of many conflicts featuring in Poland’s history. The corridors are curved so that shots cannot be fired from one end to the other, ensuring escape, but also for secrecy. Two suspects from the same job can be held there for interview, without knowing the other is there. A further feat of German engineering is the three storeys of underground basement levels. While it has been governed by Germany many times as well as Russia, HQ has always been used for policing. While at HQ, I met up with Anna, SHEisIPA representative and organiser of the exchange, and met the CEO of IPA Wrocław, Bartłomiej. See Women in

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POLICE WORLD Vol 70 No.3, 2025