Police Dogs of the Polish Police in the Eyes of Experts

The article discusses issues related to the effectiveness of the use of police dogs in the Police in Poland on the basis of research conducted on a representative group of police experts all over the country. The research questionnaire was completed by police officers who perform their daily duties in the field of police cynology — coordinators in the uniformed departments of the Regional Police Headquarters competent for the implementation of tasks related to the use and maintenance of police dogs in the uniformed branch and experts in osmological research in forensic laboratories of Regional Police Headquarters. The author describes the issues in regard to alarming statistical data, which show a significant decrease in the number of police dogs at the disposal of the Polish Police. The research was based on a research hypothesis, in which it was assumed that police dogs in today’s Polish Police are misused in the activities for public safety and order. In the author’s opinion, the necessary regulations should aim at adapting new systemic and organisational and legal solutions in order to make the best and most effective use of police dogs in the work of the Polish Police.