An attack on a paramedic, police officer, firefighter, municipal guard, or other individuals providing assistance can now result in a prison sentence of between three months and five years. The new regulations have just come into force and are intended to strengthen protection for those who intervene in situations threatening health or life.
The changes stem from an amendment to the Criminal Code, the Code of Petty Offences, and the regulations governing proceedings in petty offence cases. The bill was prepared by the Ministry of Justice. As Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek emphasizes, the goal is to curb impunity for violence against people providing assistance and to increase the sense of safety in places such as hospitals, clinics, and public offices.
Harsher penalties for violence against intervening individuals
The most significant change concerns liability for violating the personal inviolability of people undertaking an intervention. An attack on uniformed services (including police officers, firefighters, and paramedics), as well as on civilians who step in to help others—for example by breaking up a fight, restraining an attacker, or assisting during a fire—is now punishable by three months to five years in prison.
A key novelty is that private citizens who intervene to save others are granted the same level of protection as public officials. The explanatory notes point out that previously the maximum penalty for violating a public official’s personal inviolability was three years’ imprisonment, while in the case of a civilian intervening to help, it was only two years.
Protection also against verbal abuse and disturbances in public places
The new regulations also extend protection in cases of insults during an intervention. A person who is insulted (for example, verbally abused) while intervening will be treated as a public official, and proceedings will be conducted by the prosecutor—following a motion filed by the injured party.
For aggressive behavior in public places, such as hospitals or public offices, the law provides for penalties including detention, restriction of liberty, or a fine ranging from PLN 1,000 to PLN 5,000. Alternatively, an on-the-spot fine of PLN 1,000 may be imposed. The same liability applies to disturbing public peace and order while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substances.
Publication of the judgment at the victim’s request
The law also introduces a provision on the public disclosure of convictions in such cases. At the request of the injured party, the court will be required to publish the judgment—meaning that the convicted person’s details may be made public, for example by posting them on a website.
Fast-track procedure and mandatory detention of offenders
The amendments also cover procedural rules in specific situations. If an offender is caught in the act, the police will be obliged, rather than merely authorized, to detain the person and bring them before a court, which must hear the case under an expedited procedure.
This mechanism applies to incidents occurring, among others, in hospitals, clinics, public offices, or during medical interventions. The legislature’s intention is to ensure a faster response by the state and to limit situations in which aggression against staff and intervening individuals goes without real consequences.
