Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1519846
If an event as such occurs, involving an attack targeting the critical infrastructure, bombs being planted along the railway that is used for the purpose of military movements, or even opening fire against public administration buildings, or kidnapping politicians - legal means designed to respond to such events will be usable here, in any case. The Act on Antiterrorism Operations stipulates that an event of terrorist profile is defined as a „situation, in the case of which a suspicion exists, that it emerged as a result of a terrorist crime, mentioned in art. 115 § 20 of the June 6th, 1997 Act - Penal Code, or as a result of the potential threat of emergence of such crime occurring". Apart from military facilities, and institutions subordinated to or supervised by the Minister of Defense, Police remains the leading response force in circumstances as such. An officer appointed by the Chief of Police, or his Voivodeship (Capital) level counterpart would be the leader controlling the activities on the scene, coordinating Police units, or other services (rescue or fire brigades). That person would also decide on evacuating the given area or establishing a perimeter around it. Furthermore, the Police have units created for direct fight against terrorists. These forces include the Police Counterterrorist Service, namely the BOA (Anti-Terrorist Operations Bureau) central counterterrorist element, and the Independent Counterterrorist Units subordinated to the Warsaw station and each of the Voivodeship stations. Despite the structural differences between those units (and thus, different operational capabilities, as some units are 22 men strong, while some employ 48, 59, or 77 potential officers, with so many positions available - not all are always taken!), these elements are stationed in every Voivodeship and can be rapidly deployed, compared to other assets - especially the Armed Forces. This results in the ground of broad local and operational responsibility assigned to the Police. Furthermore, the definition of counter-terrorist operations is also useful here. Not only can these target those who commit the act of terror, but also those getting ready or being complicit in such a crime. As a result of that, should a group planning an act of sabotage, or Russian/ Belorussian spies, it may be assumed that these people are engaged in a preparation of an act of terror. As counter-terrorist operations are launched against them, different rules of engagement apply, especially when it comes to the use of firearms. The situation is similar if the actual act of terror already occurred, with the saboteurs penetrating a facility belonging to critical infrastructure. Changes postulated for years, especially when it comes to the employment of firearms by snipers (for instance), apply solely to counterterrorist operations for now. Weapons can be used without a warning, without a necessity to minimize collateral damage - order is enough. This translates into increased safety levels for people carrying out these tasks. It shall be assumed that, sooner or later, well-trained special operations units would conduct such activities, armed with firearms, explosives, and typical military-grade weapons, like grenade launchers. Launching operations against them in line with the standard set of ROE adopted by Police during peacetime ANALISYS