MANIPULATION OF THE TRANSFER OF INFORMATION ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE ACTIVITIES OF POLISH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

Abstract

Manipulation as a way of influencing a person has a negative connotation due to the techniques and methods of influence used, as well as instrumentalism in the manipulators relationship with the person subjected to manipulation. This also applies to the manipulation of information. Nevertheless, in terms of investigations and actions taken by law enforcement agencies, information manipulation gains a new dimension, as it often leads to the disclosure of the truth and detection of the perpetrator of the crime. In addition, the manipulation of information is used in the mass media and serves to calm the public and restore public order. The purpose of this article is to present information manipulation as one of the ways in which law enforcement agencies operate. The approach to the above topic requires first defining what manipulation is, and then characterizing the tasks and specificity of the activities of law enforcement agencies. The essence of the article includes a description of the use of information manipulation in the work of, inter alia, services such as the police and the prosecutors office, along with an analysis of the rightness of such actions and the presentation of the above case on selected examples. The research problem raised in the study concerned the use of information by law enforcement services to manipulate the message in order to obtain benefits related to the investigation. It was found that the deliberate manipulation of information by the Polish law enforcement authorities allows to obtain tangible benefits in the form of obtaining information about the perpetrators of crimes, the circumstances of their commission, as well as the detection of motives that led to the commission of the crime. An important aspect of information manipulation by Polish law enforcement agencies is the possibility of reassuring the public opinion by making available only such information that will not arouse panic and social unrest.