Kraków calls for review of patrol officer who shot attacker

Official request to the prosecutor's office

Despite the actions of the police officers who prevented an even greater tragedy being assessed as heroic, an official document was received by the Kraków branch of the district prosecutor's office. Its author demands a review of the lawfulness of the use of firearms by one of the patrol officers — Jakub Kulik, who shot the attacker.

As journalists from the Onet publication learned, the initiator of this appeal turned out to be a Polish citizen currently residing in London. The text of the complaint states:

«Я вимагаю розслідування як законності застосування поліцейським вогнепальної зброї проти нього, так і обставин його подальшої смерті в лікарні» (I demand an investigation into both the lawfulness of the police officer's use of firearms against him and the circumstances of his subsequent death in hospital).

Law enforcement reaction

Prosecutor Eryk Stasylak, who heads the Kraków branch of the district prosecutor's office, confirmed the receipt of this document. He emphasised that the department is obliged to comply with all procedural norms. At the same time, Stasylak noted that until now there had been no grounds for independent prosecution of the police officers, as no signs of offences were found in their actions.

A legal review of such an appeal does not mean the automatic initiation of a full criminal case. Experts analysing the situation may reject the complaint if they conclude that Jakub Kulik acted strictly within the limits of the law.

Criticism and the provocation theory

The complainant's actions sparked a wave of criticism. Experienced shooting instructor and retired police officer Dariusz Tomisek publicly stated that the patrol officers deserve the title of heroes and that their actions fully complied with their statutory powers.

In law enforcement circles, it is suspected that this incident may be a simple provocation. It turned out that the initiator of the complaint, who provided full personal details, date and place of birth, matches the identity of a person sought by Polish services for fraud, driving under the influence, and threats.

Position of a prominent prosecutor

The situation was also commented on by the well-known Kraków prosecutor Piotr Kosmaty. On social media, he spoke in defence of the police officers, explaining that shooting at a criminal even at the moment of his fall was absolutely lawful and justified. According to Kosmaty, as long as the firearm remains within the attacker's reach and there is a risk of its use, the threat to the lives of bystanders and the officers themselves remains immediate.