The face of sport in the Polish State Police in the interwar period

Abstract

Sport has accompanied mankind since ancient times. It is thanks to sport that we are healthier and can enjoy life. The smallest sporting effort causes the body to produce endorphins that make us feel happy. Not without significance is the fact that sport, but in its professional dimension, prepares people who practice it to a great effort. In the face of threats, unforeseen events, people who practice sports can find their way around the situation and take appropriate actions. Therefore, just as police officers face difficult service in the present day, police officers had to face up to the challenges posed in the interwar period. In 1918 Poland regained its independence, and the authorities were responsible for ensuring the security of the country. Therefore, on 24 July 1919, the State Police was established by law. Due to the nature of the tasks performed, the police officers were required to be physically fit. In order to meet this challenge, pro-sports organizations were established, which by their actions were to raise the level of sports skills of both the society and the officers. The factor which was to motivate uniformed officers to work on their physical fitness was the introduction of the National Police Sports Competitions, which were nationwide in scope. Undoubtedly, this form of competition, as well as mobilization, led to the fact that on the basis of Police Sports Clubs, physical culture in the State Police significantly developed. The article presents the face of sport in the interwar period in the Polish State Police, its development and influence on the officers themselves, as well as its further importance in the history of sport in Poland.