Position of County Government in the Security Space

Abstract

Security is a very important human need, which is addressed at all levels of local governance both by the central and local government bodies. As regards local government, the scope of tasks involving the provision of security on the local and regional levels has been adjusted to the capabilities (including financial) of individual local government units. Basic tasks are carried out at the municipal district level, supra-municipal tasks — at the county level, and regional tasks — at the provincial level, except that in the province there is a dualism of administration, meaning that administrative authority is shared between a central government-appointed governor, called the provincial governor, and an elected assembly called the regional council. In the case of the county, security-related tasks, as well as the competences relevant to this area, must be clearly defined in the act. At this level of public administration there is no presumption of competence for the benefit of the county authority. The county council performs the public tasks of a supra-municipal character set out by statute rather than the tasks not reserved for other entities. In order to ensure public order and safety of citizens, as well as fire and flood protection, the legislator authorises the county council to use technical means to record what is happening (CCTV cameras) in the area of public space, with the consent of the area manager or an entity holding a legal title to this area, or on the property and in civil structures constituting the property of the county or organisational units of the county, as well as in the area around such premises and structures, if it is necessary to ensure public order and the safety of citizens or provide fire and flood protection.