Poland

1. Lotnictwo Policji
(Police Aviation)

Aviation Resources
2023

Bell 206

Bell 407

Bell 412

Mil Mi-2

Mil Mi-8

PZL W-3 Sokol

PZL Kania

Sikorsky S-70

The Milicja Obywatelska (Citizens' Militia) was the state police force in communist Poland. In 1990 it was transformed into a western-style policing force called the Policja. The first Police aviation unit was established on 22 May 1996. At this time the first independent bases of Police aviation were established in Krakow and Poznan, using new PZL Kania helicopters. In 2000 the 103. Air Regiment was abolished. Helicopters and aircraft were then re-allocated to the newly-formed Lotnictwo Policji (Mi-2, Mi-8, Bell-206, W-3A, PZL Kania), Straz Graniczna (PZL Kania, Mi-2, W-3 and PZL M-20) and to Army aviation (Bell 412, Mi-17). In 2001 the LP became a full member of the Police Air Support Units Networking Centre Europe.

Rotary Wing

2. Lotnictwo Straz Graniczna (Border Guard Aviation)

Border Protection Troops were the border guard service of the People's Republic of Poland from 1945 to 1989. During its 46 years of existence, it has repeatedly changed its structural and service subordination, passing from the Ministry of National Defense through the Ministry of Public Security to the Ministry of the Interior, and vice versa, to remain under the Ministry of Interior since 1972. Border Protection Troops soldiers were subject to the same rules and regulations as those of other soldiers of the Polish People's Republic. As a result of political transformation and the setup of the Third Polish Republic, the Border Protection Troops were disbanded on May 16, 1991, and the Border Guard was created in their place as a preventive-type police formation established to protect Poland's borders