Polish interior minister and union challenge Sławomir Mentzen over police comments

Mentzen targets female police recruits

Sławomir Mentzen, leader of the New Hope party and co-chair of the Confederation coalition, published a video on social platform X mocking newly recruited female officers in the Lower Silesian police garrison. On 16 September 2026, the regional command admitted 150 recruits, consisting of 85 men and 65 women. Mentzen displayed photographs of the female inductees alongside a sarcastic commentary casting doubt on their ability to confront organized crime groups.

“One hundred and fifty police officers joined the Lower Silesian police. I immediately feel safer. Georgian gangs, Ukrainian veterans are already trembling with fear. Organized crime will not recover after something like this.”

Men85

Women65

Men

85 recruits

Women

65 recruits

Data from the article text

Fitness test challenge and ministerial response

The remarks prompted Sylwia Szary, a former police officer and local chair of the NSZZ Policjantów union in Słubice, to challenge Mentzen to complete the official police physical examination. Polish police entry regulations require all candidates, regardless of sex, to undergo an identical physical fitness test comprising four exercises under identical scoring standards. Szary stated that many politicians would struggle with the physical demands of the assessment. On the morning of 3 October 2026, Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński publicly endorsed the fitness challenge and criticized the lawmaker.

“I hope MP Mentzen will not chicken out and will accept the invitation from female officers for joint fitness tests? An online macho, but in reality...?”

Backlash from parliament and law enforcement

Politicians across parliamentary factions condemned Mentzen's video. Sejm Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty appealed directly to female voters supporting Confederation to consider their party leader's conduct. Magdalena Sroka, a Polish People's Party lawmaker who served in the police for 15 years and retired as a chief superintendent, emphasized that women fulfill identical operational duties alongside men. Former Poznań municipal police commander Maciej Szuba stressed that women serve effectively in criminal, investigative, and road traffic units without yielding to male colleagues. Joanna Kącka, a former spokeswoman for the Łódź Provincial Police with over 30 years of service, pointed out that female officers operate in the Central Investigation Bureau of Police and undergo identical recruitment requirements. Prime Minister Donald Tusk published an image of the officers with the single-word endorsement "Pride", while MSWiA spokeswoman Karolina Gałecka stated that the officers risk their lives to protect the public.

“Think through such words and know what your leader and commander thinks of you. The orthodox right failing to notice the role of women and viewing women only through an objectified role toward men is simply a scandal.”

Growth of female ranks in Polish policing

Figures from the Police General Headquarters (KGP) show that female representation in the force has expanded steadily over multiple years. Active female police officers numbered 16,747 at the end of 2020, grew to 18,759 at the end of 2022, and reached 20,323 by the end of 2024. Across the force, over 12,500 women serve in prevention units, more than 8,700 in criminal departments, nearly 1,400 in support services, and 12 in counter-terrorism units. In total, the police organization employs over 40,000 women, including 17,910 civilian employees, of whom more than 9,500 belong to the civil service corps and over 8,300 work in other civilian roles. Between 1 January and 1 December 2025, women accounted for 39% of all applicants seeking admission into the police.

202016,747

202218,759

202420,323

2020

16747 officers

2022

18759 officers

2024

20323 officers

Data from the article text