The CPT recommended that special attention be paid to reminding all officers about the rules to
be followed when using tasers and to enforcing the compliance with the rules82.
Assessment of the recommendation’s implementation: The officers serving at the RDP had
no tasers. However, such devices were used by officers serving in the organizational units of the Warsaw
Police Headquarters.
According to the information of the Warsaw Police Commander dated 27 March 2020, a total
of 615 officers from the Warsaw Police Headquarters had the right to use tasers. In 2019, the Warsaw
Police Headquarters Training Department, as part of professional development courses for officers,
organized 8 courses focused on the use of tasers, for a total of 88 participants. Further 8 training courses
are planned for the year 2020.
By 27 March 2020, one training course was held, in which 7 officers participated83. The training
programme covered issues related to taser construction, properties and methods of use, legal regulations
that provide the basis for using tasers; the taser use tactics and first aid related to the use of tasers84.
In view of the above information, the recommendation to remind the officers about the rules of
using tasers has been considered implemented85.
Mandatory video and sound recording of police interrogations
According to the SPT recommendation: "The State party should make mandatory the audio and
video recording of interviews in relation to criminal investigations as a basic safeguard and as part of its
efforts to prevent torture and ill-treatment, as well as to protect law enforcement personnel against
unsubstantiated allegations. Recordings should be kept in centralized secure facilities for a period
sufficient for them to be used as evidence and should be made available to investigators, detainees and
lawyers, upon request. The use of bodycams is recommended, if possible”86.
Assessment of the recommendation’s implementation: The recommendation has not been
implemented. Situations in which police officers make audio and video recordings are rare, although the
82
CPT report, CPT/Inf (2018) 39, para. 22.
83
Letter of the Warsaw Police Commander of 27 March 2020, PC-405/374/20.
84
Letter of the Warsaw Police Commander of 23 April 2020, PC-459/443/20.
85
RDP at the District Police Headquarters Warsaw VI, KMP.570.1.2020.AN; RDP at the Warsaw Police
Headquarters, KMP.570.3.2020.
86
SPT Report, CAT/OP/POL/ROSP/1, para. 47.
49
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