Friday, May 07, 2010

A Polish police officer is the last person he should expect to harm him

From: NPE
A Warsaw resident was awarded PLN 80,000 this week for injuries suffered when a police anti-terrorist squad raided his flat, only to discover later they had the wrong address. The mix-up occurred in February 2008 when masked officers burst into the home of 28-year-old Piotr D. shouting, “On the floor!” before throwing the IT consultant to the ground.

As a result of the incident Piotr D. is unable to play sport and claims to have mental scars as well. He was demanding PLN 200,000 in compensation but Bialystok Police Headquarters, who ordered the arrest, refused to pay. Bialystok Police admit the mistake, but say it was the anti-terror squad, who come under the jurisdiction of the Central Police Headquarters in Warsaw, who should pay.

Delivering her verdict, judge Hanna Jaworska said, “Citizens should have faith that a police officer is the last person he should expect to harm him.”