Preparation of the Police in the Field of Counter-terrorism in Opinions of the Independent Counter-terrorist Sub-division of the Regional Police Headquarters in Cracow

The article explores the opinion of officers of Independent Counter-Terrorist Sub-Division of the Regional Police Headquarters in Cracow (ICTS RPH) on police counter-terrorism preparedness in Poland. In view of the many clandestine activities in the field of counter-terrorism, it was concluded that only the assessment of those involved in counter-terrorism can be reliable. It is assumed that only knowledge of the issue gives proper basis for reliable conclusions and recommendations. Therefore, the opinions of one of the sixteen ICTS RPH in Poland were chosen as the subject of the study. The research aim was to determine how officers evaluate the activities of the Police in the field of counter-terrorism in Poland, and what change(s) would they recommend? The study was conducted using the diagnostic survey method. The empirical research has a sample representing 96% of the surveyed population. The theoretical part locates ICTS RPH in the hierarchy of counter-terrorism authorities in Poland and explains it’s legal regulations. The structure of the ICTS RPH and selected aspects of its activities are also described in that section. Empirical studies have shown that officers bound the effectiveness of counterterrorism operations to the quality of training. They also made recommendations for changes to improve counter-terrorism operations.